Downloading files from desktop to laptop

maybe a stupid question ..

[operafan]

Forgive my ignorance, but I would like to know if I can connect a laptop to a dekstop via USB cable & exchange the files directly.. I know it can be done over a LAN, but if my home desktop doesnt have a LAN card..

[Macro]

You can get an external LAN card that plugs into a USB port. That'll probably be the least problematic solution.

[Smiley]

LAN cards are cheap - and it will work much quicker than USB, so I would think about that option.

Smiley

[Macro]

That's true. They are less then $10 and is the better way. I only suggested the external devices on the assumption - which may be invalid - that you didn't want to open your PC up :-)

[robert adams]

If they both have internet access, and you have web space available to you , you could upload the files to the web space and then download them to the other computer.
If you are on 56k, it might take a long time based on file sizes but it would basically be free.

luck,
robert

[Macro]

On you could use an internal/external CDRW

[vytal solutions]

You can even use a Parrallel cable if you dont want to spend much money and dont want to open anything and dont really need 100mbits of speed.

[Macro]

You can even use a Parallel cable

You mean something like a null modem? Apart from being slow he'll find it painful to get all setup and working.

[operafan]

Thanks for all the reply guys, so I should best go the LAN way, I'll get a network card & hook both of them up & then I'll have to set the workgroup for both the same right since I'm on windoze.?

[vrtlw]

When you get the LAN cards, unless you have access to hub, you will need a 'Crossover Cable' to communicate without any other network hardware. The difference is the TX and RX wires are crossed and they are essential when directly connecting 2 PC's with LAN cards alone.

[operafan]

Yes I dont have a hub, so I'll have to make sure the cat5 cable which you've mentioned the Rx & Tx cables be connected correctly.
But I'll still have to set both the computers on the same windoz workgroup to recognize each other?

[ScottM]

What about a simple little jump drive? Or even your memory card in your digital camera will work in a pinch? (I wonder if an mp3 player might work also?)

But I'll still have to set both the computers on the same windoz workgroup to recognize each other?

Yes, I believe so. A real pain if your internet feeds all computers in the house. I gave up trying to figure it out and I use a jump drive.

Security is a huge issue for me. My 4 year old plays on the internet and my business computer is behind the same firewall. If I share with her computer...I may be in trouble. (That's ALL I need is another Blue's Clues pop-up!)

[vrtlw]

Yes, both must have the same workgroup

If you are working with versions of windows other than windows XP the easiest protocol to use is NETBEUI as it needs no configuration. Microsoft stopped shipping it with windows though when they released windows XP, so if on XP you will have to setup TCP/IP.

[bill]

NetBEUI is shipped with XP, it's just hidden. Here's how Microsoft says you should install it: HOW TO: Install NetBEUI on Windows XP [support.microsoft.com]

[vrtlw]

Therefore, for those who are planning to migrate your system environment to Windows XP by obtaining the full, retail-released version of Windows XP, the NetBEUI protocol can be found on the Windows XP CD-ROM under the VALUEADD directory.

I guess the problem I must have had is that (like many other people) the copy of XP that I have used has been the OEM, not retail boxed version of XP that comes with many pre-built pc's.

[Macro]

the copy of XP that I have used has been the OEM, not retail boxed version

There is no difference between those two CDs. They have exactly the same content. OEM differs from retail in packing and licence restrictions. Perhaps what you have is a "recovery CD", rather than an OEM or DSP version of the Windows CD.

[operafan]

Wow Scott you have a 4 yr old that goes on the net, that's scary - it will be better with books dont you think? :)

Thanks guys for giving me the options, I'll try the netbui option then.. thanks

[vrtlw]

Perhaps what you have is a "recovery CD",

Thats the one, shipped with c**paq. Although I also have some old MSDN releases on DVD which I have just searched and it is nowhere to be seen.

[Macro]

operafan, hopefully it's all working for you now. If you still need any help there's this article moving data [bestpricecomputers.co.uk] and this small business data migration advice [smallbusinesscomputing.com]