How can I link 2 seperate computers together so as i can transfer files between the 2?

Question

I would like to transfer the contents of one computers hard drive to another computer easily, so as I can restore the original hard drive and not lose all music/movie/picture/school etc. files. Can just a USB cable between the 2 be used? An Ethernet cable? Or what is the easiest way to achieve what I am trying to do.

Answer 1

cheapest way is to use a cross over ethernet cable

this is not the same as a standard ethernet cable

connect the two pc.s via the ethernet ports

on pc1

open view network connections and select the local area connection

scroll down the list to tcp/ip and select use the following ip address

enter 192.168.0.1

do the same with pc2 and enter 192.168.0.2

also make sure that both pc.s are part of the same workgroup (goto control panel - system- computer name - change workgroup name if neccessary)

to check that all is fine ping each machine from the other- start- run- type at the prompt: ping 192.168.0.2 to ping pc2 from pc1)

if this fails turn off firewalls

now you need to allow files to be shared (using my computer- go to the files and right click on them- select sharing and security- share this file on the network- tell any warnings and wizzards to sod off)

that's about it

if pcs not laptops then you can remove the old hard drive and st it as a slave on the secondary channel. don not put them both on the primary channel as master/slave as they will take ages to transfer the files

Answer 2

You can't link two machine via USB cable so that's out. If they've both got Ethernet ports then you can network them directly together using a crossover Ethernet cable (it's got to be crossover, not a 'straight' cable), but that can be complex to set up.

Personally, when I've had to do this, I just take the hard drive out of the older machine and install it in the new machine as a second drive. It only takes a few minutes to do and then, not only do you have access to all your files easily, but you've also got more storage space in your new computer.

Answer 3

get a thumb drive, or you can use file sharing and a router.. file sharing and a crossover cable.. open the computer up and plug the second computers hard drive into it and transfer it directly... if you're really patient, a null modem cable with file sharing. e-mail.. norton ghost and clone the drive over ethernet cable. a usb cable is definately not the way to go. a lot of bad stuff can happen.

Answer 4

to transfer data frm one pc to another you have to create a wired or wireless network or use an external Hard Drive which you can plug to the USB of the pc that you want to back up; this is the easiest way, although external HDs are not cheap.
for the wireless you just need a Broadband router, what you can use for internet too, to spread the access to other PCs if you buy an additional Network card or USB stick. Most of broadband routers (+/- 50.00$) comes with the instructions, is very simple.
Wired or wireless you will give a same Workgroup name to both PCs, like Mynet;(Right click My PC, hit properties, then Computer Name, then hit Change if you want to change what is there) then you have to make your hard drive shareable, or just the folders you want to save, in order to be seen in the main computer with the router and be able to transfer the files. This all was talking about Windows XP in both machines. if you have windows 98 things are a bit different.
Windows comes with wizards for all this. It's not simple but not too bad either.
Although 80GB external hard disk is about 100$ you can have room enough for backups of both machines and besides you can take it anywhere with you in your suitcase with the usb cable.
May be you can go with a USB flash drive 1G or 2G it depends of the volume of the data you want to save. Flash drives are not too expensive now and you don't need power supplies or usb cables; they also fit in your pocket.
Good luck!
US.

Answer 5

I don't know if it's an ethernet cable but if you go to circuit city or comp USA and tell them what kind of computer u have, they can point you to the right network cable for that. I did it when my old computer died and I got a new one, to transfer all my pics and mp3's over. My dad just had to sort of map the computers or network them together so that you can see the other computer's drives from the other.

Answer 6

I. Set up a Local Area Network. If you succeed, its best.
2. Use a Flash disc to copy all your files onto it, remove it and insert it on the other computer. The files appear automatically, which you can salect, copy and paste on the Windows Explorer directory of your choice
3. Bluetooth, Infrared, Wireless connections are other possibilities if you know how. I advise you to go with (2) as you will be able to retain the disk as a backup.