laptop - desktop connection

[royalelephant]

I would like to connect my laptop to my desktop and transfer files back and forth between them. I don't need to share programs. What's the cheapest way to connect them?

[The Contractor]

If both are fairly new they probably include ethernet adapters. Buy a ethernet cable and connect via direct connection. If not that is still the way I would go even if I had to purchase the adapters.

[figment88]

Etthernet is fastest. You could also direct connect USB posts if both computers have them, or if both computers have USB you could synch with a thumb-drive (which provides an additional backup).

[royalelephant]

You could also direct connect USB posts if both computers have them...

Both are new-ish (XP, dell and HP) and USB sounds easiest, but what setup process do I have to go through on my computers? Is there a setup wizard involved or is it like my digital camera that is detected immediately upon connection, etc.?

[figment88]

The USB connection is done via a special cable that is readily available at large electronics stores (e.g. Best Buy).

I've never actually used this method, so I do not know if it is plug-n-play or not. If it's not I assume the cable comes with directions.

I used a USB thumbdrive for synching.

[gpmgroup]

If you go the ethernet /cat 5 route make sure the cable is a crossover cable (X-over) otherwise you'll need a hub as well. (If the ports are USB 1.0 then ethernet will be a lot faster.)

You will then need to manually assign an IP address to each computer eg. 192.168.1.1 an 192.168.1.2 and a subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (Right click "My network places" Properties ¦ Right click "Local area Connection" ¦ Properties ¦Internet Protocol TCP/IP

You will also need to make sure the workgroup name is the same on both computers (Right click "My computer" ¦ Computer Name to check"

This should give basic sharing unless the Client for MS Windows has been disabled or removed.

If you want to share ("see") whole drives then you will need to click on My computer and then right click on the drive you wish to share and the make it shared.