Headache: How to transfer or share files and information between desk top and laptop?

Question

I just got a laptop and want to share everything between my new computer and my desktop at home. Is it possible? And how? Please solve my headache!

Thanks for all your help! :)

Answer 1

This question has been answered oodles of times already. Check the "Discover" section for many questions that have already been answered.

Answer 2

Hmm, I looked at other people's answers and some of them are pretty good. As for myself, I would recommend you save the files online. This way you can synchronize files across any computer with a Internet connection. For example, let's say your desktop is at home. You create an account with a online storage service. You upload the files you want to this online storage site. Now, you are at work with your laptop, you decide you want to edit a Word document from your desktop. You connect your laptop to the Internet and download the Word document from the online storage site. You make the edits you want and save it. Afterwards, you upload the edited file to the online storage site. Once back home, you can download the edited Word document and both the desktop and laptop files are sync'd.

There are scores of online storage sites. The vast majority of them offer a free account with moderate storage space. In addition, you can add more space anytime and it will only costs you pennies per MB.

PC World has a comprehensive review of 17 online storage services.

1. "Store It on the Web: These 17 free and low-cost services make it easier than ever to back up and share your files online" -- by pcworld.com (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125729-page,1/article.html)

I recommend this approach because it is whole lot easier than setting up a network.

Answer 3

Simplest: USB pen drive. Moderately complex: Crossover CAT 5e/CAT 6 RJ45 Ethernet Cable [Very fast 100Mbps or if you're lucky 1Gbps] More complex: Use a home network. Either Wi-Fi or through a hub and router. NOTE standard USB cables will not allow the 'crossover of data'. Very complex: remove hard drive and mount with an external connector.

Answer 4

Do you have a network set up? You'll need either a wired or wireless network. Once you have that established, you just enable printer and file sharing on the folders or drives you want files from.

Answer 5

You want a home entwork!

Grab an rj45 cable and stick it in the NIC on both pc's. If you have xp it should deal with the rest, but it can get ridiulously complicated (too long to explain ehre) but if u need further help just drop me a message.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Google Hamachi. You can setup a virtual private network easily and then just move the files over like you would do normally.

OR, you could buy a USB Hardrive and just move files over with that.

Answer 7

You have to set up a network, to do that.

It's not really easy for an amateur.

You will need a wired/wireless router, available at Radio Shack.

Then you also have to set it up on each computer.

If there are any computer geek businesses in your neighborhood, you might consider hiring them to do it.

Answer 8

If you don't have a router, you will need a cross-over cable to connect the two computers. Getting a router will be easier. Check the networking FAQ in the networking forum on dslreports.com

Answer 9

For pc to pc with ethernet use a crossover cable

or buy a switch or hub to make a little LAN

but the best you can do is to buy a router, to connect dsl, adsl modems and the computers.

Answer 10

you need to create a crossover ethernet cable to connect your two pc's/just google that part. then once connected it will allow you to download files. if your on a wireless network then create a workgroup on the desktop and then join it on the laptop.

Answer 11

I use one of those little plug in flash drives. They are tiny and cheap - smaller than a BIC lighter - and mine was $20 for 128Meg, but they make them to hold as much as a full Gigabyte! They are really easy to use - just plug it into your USB port.