I am trying to create a simple network using to laptop computers.I
have verizon mobile wireless internet service on a toshiba p30(xp pro
sp2).The internet serivce runs of of a pc card.I also have a sony
viao(xp media center rollup 2).I am trying to connect the computers
using an ethernet crossover cable so that the computers can share
files with one another.I also want to use my toshiba's internet
connection with my sony.My space is very limited so I do not want to
get a router.I can get the computers to share files by giving each on
a static ip address,unfortunatly I can not share an internet
connection with a static ip address.I have read in microsofts
documentation that this is doable.
In summary I want to connect my sony to my toshiba so that my sony can
use my toshibas verizon wwan connection and so that both computers can
share files via a crossover ethernet cable.

Have you tried Internet Connection Sharing in Windows XP?

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/

Connect the sony to the the toshiba using a crossover cable.  Then
turn on ICS on the toshiba.  The WAN will be your verizon wireless 
and the lan will be your local area connection.  The toshiba should
get an IP address of 192.168.0.1 on the  lan card.  Simply assign
192.168.0.2 to your sony.  Use the same DNS server addresses that are
assigned to the toshiba from verizon.

Oh and use 192.168.0.1 for the gateway address on the sony, and
255.255.255.0 for the netmask.

If you connect the Sony to the Toshiba with a crossover cable, you
will have no ethernet ports left on either computer for connecting to
the WAN. That is unless your pc card is in addition to a built-in
ethernet port. Please clarify your situation.

His question clearly states he's using verizon mobile wireless
internet off of a pccard.  So he did clarify.

The concept of what you are trying to accomplish is called "Proxying".
You want to  use your Toshiba-Verizon Connection as a Proxy into the
internet. There are a whole suite of applications - some free, some
paid... Here is my favorite:

It's called AnalogX-Proxy. It's free and does what you're trying to
do. You can download it at:
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/proxy.htm

For other proxy tools, goto the following URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server#Popular_proxy_server_software

Some additional notes on your setup:
- Since you are trying to create a chained network hopefully this
additional info might also be useful:
Sample Configuration:
----------------------------------------------------------
Sony IP Address
================
IP Address: 192.168.0.5
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: <Tosiba's IP Address>

Toshiba IP
===========
Acquired from Verizon Internet Service

Local Area Network: Cross-over Cable between Sony and Toshiba 
(not regular Ethernet cable but crossed-over Ethernet Cable)

----------------------------------------------------------

Good Luck

VG

A router can be bought for under $25 and is very small.  It is by far
the easiest way to go.  ICS is flaky, the computer connected to
Verizon, in your current setup MUST be on and connected for the 2nd
computer to connect to the internet.  With a router, either can be
on/off for the other to operate successfully.
Relent, spend a couple of bucks and you will have a much better setup.
All the other suggestions are much more complicated.

lnw-ga:

They specifically said they don't want a router, thus requiring more
complicated solutions.

is your sony laptop wireless enabled as well,if yes no need for any
cables,just set up wireless home network its very easy with xp,that
should share the shared folder on both computers