Direct Cable Connection (Parallel) -- XP Pro to XP Pro -- not work

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Guest

I've just bought a new computer and am trying to extablish a direct cable
connection to their respective parallel ports in order to transfer files.

Right now I'm having no success. I've followed the instructions I've found
in the Knowledge base very carefully, but clearly I'm missing something.

Here's what I've done so far:

-- Named the computers and joined the to the same workgroup.

-- Allowed sharing on the host computer (new).

-- Made sure I had the same user on the guest and host and that all
necessary permissions were granted.

------

Are there programs or processes that would interfere with a direct cable
connection? I am a tech writer of software manuals and sometimes I get some
fairly strange configurations. For example, I briefly installed a program in
which part of the process was setting up a COM+ Server, and now I have no
idea how to get rid of it.

----

I'd be super-grateful for any help you can give me.

Thanks in advance.

Nancy
 
Hi
My guess would be that it is a cable problem you need a special cable the
regular DB25 to DB25 will not work.

There are few methods to achieve direct connection; unfortunately you chose
the "least desired" solution.

May be this can Help: http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html

Jack (MVP-Networking
 
You'd need so-called *laplink* cable instead of null-modem serial cable.
Parallel port communication is slow and ain't error-free. Can you afford
crossover network cable at least?
 
Unless you are using a DirectParallel cable, I doubt that what you are
attempting will work.. the URL below was gleaned from the XP Help and
Support Center..

http://www.lpt.com/

Buying two cheap network cards and a crossover cable may be more
productive..
 
Jack said:
Hi
My guess would be that it is a cable problem you need a special cable the
regular DB25 to DB25 will not work.
Click to expand...

Okay. That may be one problem.
There are few methods to achieve direct connection; unfortunately you chose
the "least desired" solution.

May be this can Help: http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html

Jack (MVP-Networking
Click to expand...

Thanks. The articles are KIND OF helpful. I guess it's back to the store for
me.

I've just bought a router and cables so I can connect the new computer to
the Internet and update Windows and Office before I start to use it. I had
wanted to use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard because my settings are
so complicated that it will take me a long while to get them set up. I
thought maybe I could do this through the parallel ports because I already
have a switchbox cable, but clearly this is not going to work.

Can I connect the two computers through the router?

Nancy
 
Jetro said:
You'd need so-called *laplink* cable instead of null-modem serial cable.
Parallel port communication is slow and ain't error-free. Can you afford
crossover network cable at least?
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. Sure, I can get the cable. My problem really isn't
about what I can afford but about what I don't know. I just have no clue how
to connect the two computers. Usually, I have been able to find instructions
in the knowledge base when I'm trying to figure out how to do something, but
this time I have not been successful.

I've also just bought a router so I can hook the new computer up to my
internet connection and get the various service packs, security software,
etc., etc. before I switch to it. The thing is, I' m working toward a
deadline right now and have to keep the old machine operational until I do
the actual switchover.

Can I connect the two computers through the router? (Yes, I do have the
necessary EtherNet ports, etc.)

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Nancy
 
Mike Hall said:
Unless you are using a DirectParallel cable, I doubt that what you are
attempting will work.. the URL below was gleaned from the XP Help and
Support Center..

http://www.lpt.com/

Buying two cheap network cards and a crossover cable may be more
productive..
Click to expand...

Thank you for respondding. I already have network cards installed in each
computer (for my cable) and, as a matter of fact, I've just bought a router
so I can share my Internet connection between them because I need to get all
the software and OS updates for the new computer installed before I do the
switchover.

Would it be possible for me to transfer files between these computers if
they are hooked together through a router?

Nancy
 
Nancy,

Plug every thing into the router, open Network Connections and run two
wizards (New Connection and Network Setup) on both computers. Ensure you can
see and access computers using My Network Places.
To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click Start, point to
Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files
and Settings Transfer Wizard.
 
i'm gonna pipe in here, but i am not an expert.

Nancy, i know you bot a router etc, but it could be a bit simpler for
you. it sounds to me like things are too complex for what you need to
do.

get the nu putr up and running and using whatever inet connection you
have--get it updated.

Then for transferring files between computers using Windows Explorer,
you can just get a Ethernet CROSSOVER cable (make sure you get a
crossover cable--this way you won't need a router/switch or hub) at
Staples/Office Max, BestBuy, etc and connect your 2 Ethernet jacks
(they are the bigger "telephone looking" jacks) together. you don't
need a router. you will, as the previous poster said, need to
configure your network using XP's wizards. you will have to Enable
File Sharing on both computers---Right click a folder/file and click
on the Sharing & Security menu. IF you need to get onto the net with
either one, you can enable on to the host (it's the one who dials out
in the case of a dial-up) and the other is the client. i might even
be easier for you to forget that and just connect individually. maybe
you can return the router, especially since this is a one time
event.....

hth,
ron

"Nancy Lorieau" <[email protected]> happily wrote the world on Sun, 30 Jan 2005 13:41:04 -0800:
Click to expand...
Thank you for respondding. I already have network cards installed in each
computer (for my cable) and, as a matter of fact, I've just bought a router
so I can share my Internet connection between them because I need to get all
the software and OS updates for the new computer installed before I do the
switchover.

Would it be possible for me to transfer files between these computers if
they are hooked together through a router?

Nancy
Click to expand...

Please insert an E between the n & t, to reply via email.
 
Thanks. By the time I read your message, I already had the router set up and
ready to go. This is network business is a lot easier than I thought it would
be. I've been toying with the idea of buying a second computer because I do a
lot of work with database programs and it's a real pain running a client and
server on the same machine -- particularly if you've got a transaction server
going on as well. But networking was one of those things I had decided was
too complicated for me to mess with.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

Nancy
 
Nancy

Had you given the information about already having a router, the advice
given by all here could have been compacted into three or four replies.. it
pays to render all info when asking questions..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user
 

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