File Transfer Cable

[Guest]

How "special" does the USB cable have to be to use the File Transfer Wizard
to move files from XP to Vista? Info talks about having to buy a "special"
cable but wondering if a regular USB will work.

 

[Adam Albright]

How "special" does the USB cable have to be to use the File Transfer Wizard
to move files from XP to Vista? Info talks about having to buy a "special"
cable but wondering if a regular USB will work.

Bingo!

 

[Guest]

So, the peson who did a blog as
I'm a Product Manager at Microsoft working on the Windows Vista launch team.
who stated

They're USB 2.0 cables with a special chip that enables them to connect two
PCs. (A standard USB cable cannot do this, even if the USB connectors fit).

might be ncorrect??

 

[Parrôtt]

How "special" does the USB cable have to be to use the File Transfer
Wizard
to move files from XP to Vista? Info talks about having to buy a
"special"
cable but wondering if a regular USB will work.

Connecting Your Computers
For the best experience using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, you
will want to connect your two computers together. You can connect your
computers either by using a null modem serial cable or by using Home
networking.

Connecting With A Serial Cable
The easiest way to connect your computers is to use the null modem serial
cable. To use the null modem serial cable:

a.. Both computers must have an available serial port (also called a COM
port).
b.. You must have a null modem serial cable (also called a LapLink serial
cable or a serial file transfer cable).
c.. The serial cable must be long enough to connect the computers
together.

Click here for additional information about connecting your computers using
a null modem serial cable.

Connecting With Home Networking
The best way to connect your computers together is to use Home networking.
Although the setup is more complex, your files and settings will transfer
faster. If you are planning to keep both your old computer and your new
computer, you might want to consider creating a Home network.

To use Home networking:

a.. Both computers must have a network interface card or a USB network
interface installed. The jack looks like a slightly larger telephone jack.
b.. You must have network cable, and in most cases a hub.
c.. The network cable must be long enough to connect the computers
together.
Note: A wireless network will not need network cable or a hub.

Run the Network Setup Wizard to set up your Home network.

Related Topics
Home networking
Make a direct network connection by using a DirectParallel cable

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

I thought someone just said that VISTA doesn't support Serial
Connections? <g> I guess they meant DB25 ....

But it is correct that you cannot use a straight USB to USB cable with
the same connectors on each end to link two PCs -- according to USB.org
-- and these special cables are I presume like the USB to Serial cables
that my Nokia phone wants to use to connect to a PC.

Easiest is to do it over ethernet?

 

[Ron Sommer]

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=360776
Because USB ports have power, you don't want to connect two pcs directly
with a USB cable.
--
Ronald Sommer

:I thought someone just said that VISTA doesn't support Serial
: Connections? <g> I guess they meant DB25 ....
:
: But it is correct that you cannot use a straight USB to USB cable with
: the same connectors on each end to link two PCs -- according to USB.org
: -- and these special cables are I presume like the USB to Serial cables
: that my Nokia phone wants to use to connect to a PC.
:
: Easiest is to do it over ethernet?
:

 

[Lang Murphy]

As others have responded... a "regular" USB cable will not work. I can only
assume that the "special" USB cables are somewhat like cross-over CAT-5
cables that allow PC's to "talk to each other." How that USB technology
works is unknown to me at the moment. And not something I intend to
investigate; I would just use my home network as the communication channel.

Lang

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Someone was wrong. ;-) Vista supports any installed serial device that has
drivers.

And no, a straight-through USB cable will not work even if it fits both PCs.
The Easy Transfer cable has some "brains" built into it. As you suggest,
Ethernet is easiest if you don't have the cable, I've also used a USB
external hard drive with excellent results.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[ray]

How "special" does the USB cable have to be to use the File Transfer Wizard
to move files from XP to Vista? Info talks about having to buy a "special"
cable but wondering if a regular USB will work.

Assuming you have network cards on both machines a crossover ethernet
cable will be faster and cheaper.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Right.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Someone was wrong.  ;-)  Vista supports any installed serial device that has 
drivers.

Often happens <g>

Of course the number of PCs that come with DB25 connectors is pretty small
these days ....