Connect a Win XP Pro Laptop to a Win Xp Home PC

[SouthAfricanStan]

In MS's article on "How to use the briefcase feature in Windows XP" there is
an instruction to "Connect your portable computer to your desktop computer".
I have also read the MS article: "How to set up a direct cable connection
between two computers in Windows XP", where it refers to a "null modem
cable". What is a "null modem cable, and where is it connected to"?
Both my computers have modems and network cards - can I use a network cable
instead?
Should I upgrade the XP Home to XP Pro on my PC?
Perhaps there is a better way to sync folder and files on both computers.
Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[Chuck]

In MS's article on "How to use the briefcase feature in Windows XP" there is
an instruction to "Connect your portable computer to your desktop computer".
I have also read the MS article: "How to set up a direct cable connection
between two computers in Windows XP", where it refers to a "null modem
cable". What is a "null modem cable, and where is it connected to"?
Both my computers have modems and network cards - can I use a network cable
instead?
Should I upgrade the XP Home to XP Pro on my PC?
Perhaps there is a better way to sync folder and files on both computers.
Any advice will be appreciated.

Stan,

A "direct cable connection" uses a serial connector between 2 computers. Long
ago, before USB, Firewire, and Ethernet, a serial cable was the most universally
available possible connection.

If your computers have Ethernet network cards, use that. No need to upgrade XP
Home, it will network fine.

Is the Ethernet connection on neither in use right now? If so, run the Network
Setup Wizard on both computers. On each, select
This computer belongs to a network that does not have an Internet connection.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NetworkNoInternet>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NetworkNoInternet

Get a cross-over cable to connect the computers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html#SetupNoInternet>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/connecting-two-computers-with.html#SetupNoInternet