Direct connection, W2K and Windows XP, no Internet connection

[PJS]

Hi --

I'm trying to connect two computers, a desktop running
Windows 2000 Profesional and a laptop running Windowx XP,
using a CAT5 cable. If figure it's the simplest way to
dump files from the desktop to the laptop, since I don't
have a home network. I don't intend to have them
networked to share an Internet connection, printer, etc.

Both machines have networking cards, and the ports are
working because I can connect each to my broadband ISP
using the Ethernet port.

I can't seem to get the machines to talk to each other.
Google searches haven't been much help.

Does anyone have step-by-step directions for setting up a
Win2K and a Windows XP machine to exchange files?

Thanks.

pjs

 

[SteveC]

Hi --

I'm trying to connect two computers, a desktop running
Windows 2000 Profesional and a laptop running Windowx XP,
using a CAT5 cable. If figure it's the simplest way to
dump files from the desktop to the laptop, since I don't
have a home network. I don't intend to have them
networked to share an Internet connection, printer, etc.

Both machines have networking cards, and the ports are
working because I can connect each to my broadband ISP
using the Ethernet port.

I can't seem to get the machines to talk to each other.
Google searches haven't been much help.

Does anyone have step-by-step directions for setting up a
Win2K and a Windows XP machine to exchange files?

Thanks.

pjs

If you're connecting the computers NIC to NIC with a cable, then you
must use a crossover cable. Check both tips of the cable and compare
the color coding. If it's in the same order on both tips, then you
have a regular (straight through) cable.


Some other things to check for:

Are the computers part of the same workgroup?
Is file and print sharing installed on all computers?
Do you have the same user name and password on all computers?
Do the computers have valid ip addresses so they can talk to each
other?
Make sure to turn off all firewalls on your computers to test your
setup.

The output of the command ipconfig /all would be useful.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com
http://www.wown.com

are two sites that can get you started.

regards,

SteveC
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