That is odd. A cross-over Ethernet cable connects just like any other Ethernet connection, except the Transmit and receive signaling are crossed. The maximum connection for Ethernet is 328 feet.

Many laptops auto crossover. I never use a cross-over cable on my laptop. Have you tried a regular Cat 5 cable? It will depend on your laptop, because the Toshiba processor NIC will not auto correct.

Do you have a link light on both sides? I have had a couple cables that gave me troubles in the past, like some long Cat 5 shielded cables.