a
LAN card must be present on both the machines and i think that the bsnl dataone cable will work(not sure bout it) still,
if your laptop supports infra-red or bluetooth, you can buy a
USB-attached infra-red or Bluetooth port and attach it to your desktop...this will work all right...but the
LAN method is faster...there are other methods also like through internet, etc. but a direct 'hard-connection'(a word i just created i.e a connection which can be 'touched') is better than a 'soft internet connection'.

hope it works