Connecting two computers (for file share)

[Guest]

In the not-so-distant "old days" (5-10 years ago), we used to easily upload/download files between computers using an lpt cable and simple "LapLink" (ll.exe) software. Executing LapLink (in each computer) set up a window in each computer monitor which allowed you to highlight files for tranfer. It was quick and easy! (I'm a scientist and we used this often, especially during field work, where we'd gather data using a laptop and bring it back to the lab PC.) This program also worked between two PCs.

Now I'm trying to connect my new Compaq home desktop (Windows XP) with my older computer (Windows 98) in order to quickly transfer files from the latter to the former. I thought the Ethernet connection would work similar to LapLink, but I'm beginning to suspect it's more complicated. I've looked over Windows XP help online and this BB for tips on how to do it, but have yet to get a comprehensive description of how it works. Here's what I have set up:

1) Ethernet Patch Cable between the two computers (Best Buy sold me the wrong cable, but I connected it to see if it would work -- I need a "crossover" cable, right?)

2) I've enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT) on both (as advised by Eric Cross, MVP) in response to a problem a writer was having seeing both computers linked together.

3) "Network Connections" on the Compaq shows a LAN connection enabled when I turn on the other computer.

So far I can't see any way of monitoring and manipulating this connection. Can someone please tell me, (1) what to expect when the connection is successful (i.e., what window will appear, or do I access the remote computer via Windows Explorer)? (2) What's the easiest way to connect two Windows OS computers for simple file transfer (if this isn't the easiest way)? (3) If this will even work with a "patch" cable instead of a "crossover" cable? (I'm picking up a crossover cable today and will try again -- but reading all the network problems on this BB makes me less than optimistic...)

Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

PM

 

[Jerry]

In the not-so-distant "old days" (5-10 years ago), we used to easily

upload/download files between computers using an lpt cable and simple
"LapLink" (ll.exe) software. Executing LapLink (in each computer) set up a
window in each computer monitor which allowed you to highlight files for
tranfer. It was quick and easy! (I'm a scientist and we used this often,
especially during field work, where we'd gather data using a laptop and
bring it back to the lab PC.) This program also worked between two PCs.

Now I'm trying to connect my new Compaq home desktop (Windows XP) with my

older computer (Windows 98) in order to quickly transfer files from the
latter to the former. I thought the Ethernet connection would work similar
to LapLink, but I'm beginning to suspect it's more complicated. I've looked
over Windows XP help online and this BB for tips on how to do it, but have
yet to get a comprehensive description of how it works. Here's what I have
set up:

1) Ethernet Patch Cable between the two computers (Best Buy sold me the

wrong cable, but I connected it to see if it would work -- I need a
"crossover" cable, right?)

2) I've enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT) on both (as advised by Eric

Cross, MVP) in response to a problem a writer was having seeing both
computers linked together.

3) "Network Connections" on the Compaq shows a LAN connection enabled when I turn on the other computer.

So far I can't see any way of monitoring and manipulating this connection.

Can someone please tell me, (1) what to expect when the connection is
successful (i.e., what window will appear, or do I access the remote
computer via Windows Explorer)? (2) What's the easiest way to connect two
Windows OS computers for simple file transfer (if this isn't the easiest
way)? (3) If this will even work with a "patch" cable instead of a
"crossover" cable? (I'm picking up a crossover cable today and will try
again -- but reading all the network problems on this BB makes me less than
optimistic...)

 

[Tx2]

(e-mail address removed), a.k.a =?Utf-8?B?
cHJhaXJpZW1lcm1haWQ=?= says...

[...]

In the not-so-distant "old days" (5-10 years ago),
we used to easily upload/download files between
computers using an lpt cable and simple "LapLink"
(ll.exe) software. Executing LapLink (in each computer)
set up a window in each computer monitor which allowed
you to highlight files for tranfer.
It was quick and easy!

It was ?!?!

Damn site quicker to record to CD-R from your XP system and pop the disc
into the 98 system!

And setting up a peer to peer network using (yes) a crossover cable is
an absolute breeze under XP ...

 

[Jerry]

Crossover cable is required to connect the NICs to each other.

Both computers must be in the same workgroup.

Drives/folders must be 'Shared' on one so the other can see them. (Works in
either direction.)

Turn off ICF (Internet Connection Firewall) on the XP system or else it will
block access to/from the other system.

Fire up each, open Explorer, navigate to Network Places > Entire Network >
Microsoft Windows Network and see if the other computer is there.

or
If both computers have a parallel port you can go back to your old system by
using Direct Cable Connection.

In the not-so-distant "old days" (5-10 years ago), we used to easily

upload/download files between computers using an lpt cable and simple
"LapLink" (ll.exe) software. Executing LapLink (in each computer) set up a
window in each computer monitor which allowed you to highlight files for
tranfer. It was quick and easy! (I'm a scientist and we used this often,
especially during field work, where we'd gather data using a laptop and
bring it back to the lab PC.) This program also worked between two PCs.

Now I'm trying to connect my new Compaq home desktop (Windows XP) with my

older computer (Windows 98) in order to quickly transfer files from the
latter to the former. I thought the Ethernet connection would work similar
to LapLink, but I'm beginning to suspect it's more complicated. I've looked
over Windows XP help online and this BB for tips on how to do it, but have
yet to get a comprehensive description of how it works. Here's what I have
set up:

1) Ethernet Patch Cable between the two computers (Best Buy sold me the

wrong cable, but I connected it to see if it would work -- I need a
"crossover" cable, right?)

2) I've enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT) on both (as advised by Eric

Cross, MVP) in response to a problem a writer was having seeing both
computers linked together.

3) "Network Connections" on the Compaq shows a LAN connection enabled when I turn on the other computer.

So far I can't see any way of monitoring and manipulating this connection.

Can someone please tell me, (1) what to expect when the connection is
successful (i.e., what window will appear, or do I access the remote
computer via Windows Explorer)? (2) What's the easiest way to connect two
Windows OS computers for simple file transfer (if this isn't the easiest
way)? (3) If this will even work with a "patch" cable instead of a
"crossover" cable? (I'm picking up a crossover cable today and will try
again -- but reading all the network problems on this BB makes me less than
optimistic...)