Connecting two laptops directly w/out hub via crossover cable

[Guest]

I just purchased a new laptop and I'm trying to figure out how to connect it
to my old laptop so I can transfer the files and whatnot directly. I was
told that a crossover cable will work for this so I purchased one. At the
moment I have the cable and the two laptops but I'm at a loss as to what I
should do next. I'm not sure if this will be a problem but the new Laptop is
running XP Home while the old laptop is running XP Pro. It would be ideal if
I can successfully connect the two comps directly as it would save me many
hours burning disks for the data transfer. Any help is appreciated! Thanks
in advance.

-Kent

 

[Gary Tsang]

Hi,

You'll have to configure the IP addresses for the two machines.

Example, for PC1
go into the Network Card's TCP/IP settings, and set the IP address to
10.0.0.1
subnet mask 255.0.0.0

For PC2
set the IP address to 10.0.0.2
Subnet mask 255.0.0.0

then hit ok.

To test connectivity, make sure the Green led light is on, and then open a
command box and try pinging the other computer.
To do this, go to Start -> Run
then type in command
and then hit OK.

Now a black command prompt will come up, on PC 1 type in
ping 10.0.0.2
if everything is good, you'll get
Reply from 10.0.0.2: bytes .........etc..

if you don't get that you'll get Request timed out.
Check your settings again.

Once you get the Reply from 10.0.0.2 message then your two computers are
capable of talking to each other.

You'll now have to enable shares to access the files. To do this right click
the folder or drives you would like to share and select Sharing and Security
and configure the shares.

 

[Guest]

While I do appreciate your assistance Gary, I still have no idea what to do!
I really don't know where to begin. An example of hat I need as far as
instruction goes is as follows:

step one: connect cable to both comps (not even sure if this is the first
step)

step two: power on both comps

step three: ??????

That's about where I'm at. I have no idea how to access the TCP/IP Settings
nor do I know how to "ping" a computer. I need some seriously remedial
instruction on this one! Apologies in advance!

-Kent

 

[JerryMouse]

I just purchased a new laptop and I'm trying to figure out how to
connect it to my old laptop so I can transfer the files and whatnot
directly. I was told that a crossover cable will work for this so I
purchased one. At the moment I have the cable and the two laptops
but I'm at a loss as to what I should do next. I'm not sure if this
will be a problem but the new Laptop is running XP Home while the old
laptop is running XP Pro. It would be ideal if I can successfully
connect the two comps directly as it would save me many hours burning
disks for the data transfer. Any help is appreciated! Thanks in
advance.

-Kent

The crossover cable: Serial cable or network cable?

"Help" is your friend.

 

[Ron Sommer]

http://www.makeitsimple.com/sections.php?artid=7

 

[Alex Nichol]

I just purchased a new laptop and I'm trying to figure out how to connect it
to my old laptop so I can transfer the files and whatnot directly. I was
told that a crossover cable will work for this so I purchased one. At the
moment I have the cable and the two laptops but I'm at a loss as to what I
should do next. I'm not sure if this will be a problem but the new Laptop is
running XP Home while the old laptop is running XP Pro.

That's OK. On each use Network Connections - Make new connection to
'set up home or small office network' Follow through (you will want
'other' with no internet connection)

You must ensure that you have different names for the two machines, but
that you use the same WorkGroup name for each (It will probably suggest
MSHOME and I would go along). You can check on that in Control Panel -
System - Computer name

Then you will need to have identical logon accounts on both machines,
using the same password. Have at least a folder on each machine set to
be shared - easiest probably to share the whole C: - r-click it in My
Computer, Properties, Sharing page.

Plug in your cable and boot up and they should see each other if you go
to My Network Places and 'View workgroup computers' . From one you can
open a folder on the other and drag files out of it just as between
folders