A question for the techs here

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-09-21 05:04pm

I would like to know how to hook up two computers so that I can transfer files from one to the other and back again
Thanks for your help

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2003-09-21 05:29pm

I recommend ethernet. It's getting cheaper, and you'll probably want to switch over to DSL or Cable sooner or later, which atypically requires ethernet.

If not, you should be able to use your comp's serial port... USB and USB2 should also work.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-09-21 05:31pm

The best way would be to use a crossover ethernet cable to hook your two machines up.

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-09-21 05:35pm

Slight problem ith that one computer has an ethernet card the other does not.
Can't you just hook up the computers from the printer port and work it that way?

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-09-21 05:36pm

There are methods for the parallel port, but I don't remember them. You could try purchasing what's called a null modem cable and hooking your two computers up that way.

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-09-21 05:44pm

phongn wrote:There are methods for the parallel port, but I don't remember them. You could try purchasing what's called a null modem cable and hooking your two computers up that way.

Ok and what the fuck is a null moden cable?

Embracer Of Darkness · Post by **Embracer Of Darkness** » 2003-09-21 05:50pm

Buy:
Ethernet hub x1.
Ethernet card x1.
Ethernet cable x2.

Not expensive. Problem solved.

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-09-21 05:53pm

Embracer Of Darkness wrote:Buy:
Ethernet hub x1.
Ethernet card x1.
Ethernet cable x2.

Not expensive. Problem solved.

Right thanks for the info
Nice avatar

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-09-21 05:55pm

LT.Hit-Man wrote:
phongn wrote:There are methods for the parallel port, but I don't remember them. You could try purchasing what's called a null modem cable and hooking your two computers up that way.
Ok and what the fuck is a null moden cable?

Id go cough up some money for a NIC card and a crossover cable. You can find both together for under 20 bucks if you look around.

A quick and dirty way is to put the hard drive of the second computer in the first computer and transfer the files that way. This involves moving jumpers and opening the box, etc.

A null modem cable is the same idea as a parrallel cable. Could be a 9 or 25 pin serial port. Transfer speeds would be pretty low.

Another way is to buy a cheap USB keychain drive. This assumes both machines are running Win2K and above and the amount of data to transfer is small. <64MB

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-09-21 06:15pm

LT.Hit-Man wrote:
phongn wrote:There are methods for the parallel port, but I don't remember them. You could try purchasing what's called a null modem cable and hooking your two computers up that way.
Ok and what the fuck is a null moden cable?

Like the parallel cable, but goes into the serial (COM) port. I think Windows has built-in support for both of these... anyway, I recommend going for the Crossover UTP (ethernet) cable. Net cards are cheap (they range from 5 bucks to over 40, but they're all good), yet hubs normally aren't that cheap.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-09-21 06:42pm

You dont need a hub, just get a card and a crossover cable...the hub is only of use for more than 2 machines...

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-09-21 07:04pm

Yeah, that's what I meant. Instead of the hub (and 2 regular cables) get no hub and 1 crossover cable.

namdoolb · Post by **namdoolb** » 2003-09-21 07:59pm

Well, you've got 3 options.

Number one, cheapo option: Null modem cable.
Probably dirt cheap if you can find one (they're a bit obselete now)
Plugs into your serial or parrallel port and likewise on the other computer.
Uses windows software to connect the two computers (IIRC it's called direct cable connection)
I'd be surprised if it set you back more than $10. But on the flipside, the file transfer speeds are pretty abysmal (I had to use one once, I speak from experience)

The other 2 options are a lot better, and both start the same:
Buy a network card for the second PC and connect them.

You can either use a crossover cable, or a pair of normal cables and a network hub.

If you go for the crossover cable it'll be cheaper, but you won't be able to expand the network easily.
Whereas if you go for the network hub, it's more expensive, but if you ever want to add another computer to the network, all you need to do is plug them into the hub.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2003-09-21 08:09pm

These days you can probably get a network card and length of cable cheaper than a null modem cable.

The cheapest I've seen a 10/100 network card go for is £8.