Connecting Two Computers

JRGart · 10-22-2005, 11:03 PM

I have one Dell Dim8400,os XPMediaCenter connected to the internet via ADSL Modem. The 2nd machine is a Compaq osXP HomeEdition. Both have internal ethernet cards. Is there anyway they can be connected to transfer files/backup certain files. Yet still not have the Compaq visible to the internet.

**oldmn** · 10-22-2005, 11:13 PM

you can get a USB to USB transfer cable (SLOW), Or you can get a crossover cable that goes between the two NIC cards. There are other options to, check out NEWEGG

Dartmanrod · 10-22-2005, 11:25 PM

It sounds like you want both PC's to have access to the internet and each other. The best solution would be to purchase a cable/DSL router and hook both PC's up to it. Then hook the router up to your modem. The outside world will only see one address (the router) and both of your PC's will be able to have internet access and access to each other. Depending on your budget I would recommend purchasing a wireless router just in case someday you have a wireless device and want to connect it to the internet. If you do not have a wireless device now, there are instructions included with almost every router on how to deactivate the wireless signal. Now there are other settings you will have to tweak in order for the two PC's to talk to each other, such as permissions, sharing, etc. But that is a whole other discussion.

If you want to perform a one-time file transfer and not spend a lot of money or time... burn the files onto a CD or copy them to a USB key. You could even try a USB transfer cable but they are pretty slow and somewhat difficult to configure. Anyway, I hope this helps.

JRGart · 10-23-2005, 07:35 AM

Thanks to both oldmn and dartmanrod for your rapid and useful replies. I presently am awaiting three parts to upgrade my compaq. Should be here tomorrow. That will give me time to research your suggested solutions. I will let you know what works for me.

**johnwill** · 10-23-2005, 06:01 PM

If you connect the two computers with a crossover cable, and you don't install ICS, you should achieve the result you desire, sharing files/printers between the machines, but only the ADSL connected one with Internet access.

JRGart · 10-26-2005, 06:59 PM

Johnwill,
You are correct in that I think you visualize exactly what I desire to do. I have a crossover cable that I used to download files to new machine. What does ICS stand for? Presently, I only have the one opening to connect the Cat5 line to the ADSL Modem. Do I have to add a port or is there something I'm am overlooking. I'm old and slow, but I do poor work!
JR

**johnwill** · 10-27-2005, 03:24 PM

Just assign the computer's TCP/IP addresses manually.

PC1:
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet: 255.255.255.0

PC2:
IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet: 255.255.255.0

Enable file/print sharing, and share the desired resources.

Sachshiri · 09-14-2009, 06:59 PM

hi guys, I have just start to work with computers and now I have to set up tha lab with crossover cables. I don know how to use this. Can u guys help me plz?

10-22-2005, 11:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
JRGart Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Claus, Indiana Posts: 11 OS: XP Media Center	Connecting Two Computers I have one Dell Dim8400,os XPMediaCenter connected to the internet via ADSL Modem. The 2nd machine is a Compaq osXP HomeEdition. Both have internal ethernet cards. Is there anyway they can be connected to transfer files/backup certain files. Yet still not have the Compaq visible to the internet.

10-22-2005, 11:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
oldmn TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gig Harbor Wa Posts: 2,150 OS: XP Pro SP3 X 3 My System	you can get a USB to USB transfer cable (SLOW), Or you can get a crossover cable that goes between the two NIC cards. There are other options to, check out NEWEGG __________________ AVG \| MEMTEST86 \| Zone Alarm \| XXCLONE \| Adaware \| Beyond Compare \| Everest If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Sorry no PM's for problems.[/center] Last edited by oldmn; 10-22-2005 at 11:26 PM.

10-22-2005, 11:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dartmanrod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7 OS: Win XP Pro	It sounds like you want both PC's to have access to the internet and each other. The best solution would be to purchase a cable/DSL router and hook both PC's up to it. Then hook the router up to your modem. The outside world will only see one address (the router) and both of your PC's will be able to have internet access and access to each other. Depending on your budget I would recommend purchasing a wireless router just in case someday you have a wireless device and want to connect it to the internet. If you do not have a wireless device now, there are instructions included with almost every router on how to deactivate the wireless signal. Now there are other settings you will have to tweak in order for the two PC's to talk to each other, such as permissions, sharing, etc. But that is a whole other discussion. If you want to perform a one-time file transfer and not spend a lot of money or time... burn the files onto a CD or copy them to a USB key. You could even try a USB transfer cable but they are pretty slow and somewhat difficult to configure. Anyway, I hope this helps. Last edited by Dartmanrod; 10-22-2005 at 11:36 PM.

10-23-2005, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
JRGart Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Claus, Indiana Posts: 11 OS: XP Media Center	Thank you Thanks to both oldmn and dartmanrod for your rapid and useful replies. I presently am awaiting three parts to upgrade my compaq. Should be here tomorrow. That will give me time to research your suggested solutions. I will let you know what works for me.

10-23-2005, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,607 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	If you connect the two computers with a crossover cable, and you don't install ICS, you should achieve the result you desire, sharing files/printers between the machines, but only the ADSL connected one with Internet access. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-26-2005, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
JRGart Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Claus, Indiana Posts: 11 OS: XP Media Center	Connecting Xrossover Cable Johnwill, You are correct in that I think you visualize exactly what I desire to do. I have a crossover cable that I used to download files to new machine. What does ICS stand for? Presently, I only have the one opening to connect the Cat5 line to the ADSL Modem. Do I have to add a port or is there something I'm am overlooking. I'm old and slow, but I do poor work! JR

10-27-2005, 03:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,607 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Just assign the computer's TCP/IP addresses manually. PC1: IP Address: 192.168.0.1 Subnet: 255.255.255.0 PC2: IP Address: 192.168.0.2 Subnet: 255.255.255.0 Enable file/print sharing, and share the desired resources. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-14-2009, 06:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sachshiri Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1 OS: windows 7	Re: Connecting Two Computers hi guys, I have just start to work with computers and now I have to set up tha lab with crossover cables. I don know how to use this. Can u guys help me plz?