How do I connect my laptop to my computer?

[Brian V]

Is there a way to connect my laptop to my desktop? Not just to the screen I
have.

Would the laptop be viewed as a seperate drive like an external usb drive?
Does it matter if it has a different OS?

I want to do this to more easily transfer files and update my favourites, etc.

 

[choro]

Is there a way to connect my laptop to my desktop? Not just to the
screen I have.

Would the laptop be viewed as a seperate drive like an external usb
drive? Does it matter if it has a different OS?

I want to do this to more easily transfer files and update my
favourites, etc.

Yes, either set up a network OR get a special USB link cable, rpt a USB link
cable and NOT the standard USB cable. Some require that you set up the
accompanying software on both computers, some require that it be set on just
one of the computers, and at least one does not require setting up anything
at all. The software is contained on a chip on one of the USB ends.

WARNING= On no account connect two computers with a standard USB cable. You
will end up SHITTING IN BOTH THE COMPUTERS, as the saying goes in my mother
tongue. Got it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[David Webb]

Methods for networking two computers
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/a/connecttwocomp.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is there a way to connect my laptop to my desktop? Not just to the screen I
have.

Would the laptop be viewed as a seperate drive like an external usb drive?
Does it matter if it has a different OS?

I want to do this to more easily transfer files and update my favourites, etc.

Home Networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/homenet/default.asp

Networking Information
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm

PracticallyNetworked Home
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is there a way to connect my laptop to my desktop?

Yes. What you want to do is create a *network* with both computers
connected to it.

Not just to the screen I
have.

Would the laptop be viewed as a seperate drive like an external usb drive?

No, it would show as another computer on the network. The drives (and
printers, etc.) on each computer could be shared and made accessible
to the other computer.

Does it matter if it has a different OS?

A different version of Windows? No, it doesn't matter. Create a
"workgroup" network.

I want to do this to more easily transfer files and update my favourites, etc.

You've already gotten two replies with links to sites telling you how
to do this. I won't repeat them, but I wanted to answer your questions
above.

 

[Roger]

Brian,
Network your computers as recommended. Then, if you wish to have full
control on both computers install TeamViewer. This way you can even
work on your desktop from your laptop, wherever you are.

 

[Brian V]

I thought it would probably be networking. I had assumed a router would be
involved, but I thought that would just be for the internet connection (I
will read more because some may take this comment as wrong). So no direct usb
connection then. Ok.

If I ran my own business I think that option would be highly important and
necessary. Right now, I am not thinking networking is.

Thank you all for the replys.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I thought it would probably be networking. I had assumed a router would be
involved, but I thought that would just be for the internet connection (I
will read more because some may take this comment as wrong). So no direct usb
connection then. Ok.

If I ran my own business I think that option would be highly important and
necessary. Right now, I am not thinking networking is.

You wanted to connect your two computers. If you want to do that,
networking *is* necessary. As I tried to explain in my previous
message, that's the way you connect computers.

If you are connecting more than two computers, a router (or hub or
switch) needs to be involved, but with only two computers, they can be
connected directly; you have to use a *crossover* cable if you don't
use a router, hub, or switch.

And the crossover cable, router, hub, or switch connect to a Network
Interface Card (usually abbreviated NIC), or equivalent built into the
motherboard, in each computer