PC to PC networking

[lnp]

So, here is the deal, my roommate just got a new computer and wishes to transfer her files (not the OS or the system preferences, just a ton of .mp3s and documents and whatnot) to the new computer. She doesn't have an external hard drive or the like and so I suggested making a direct ethernet connection between the machines. Problem is, I've never done this on XP and I need a guide on how to do it. Can anyone help me out?

[fischerm]

You've got a couple of choices. One, you can find yourself a crossover cable. I'm not sure exactly how to make one, I'd probably just go buy one specifically labeled as such. The other option is to hook both computers up to an ethernet hub, hopefully at least both PCs can do 100Mbit. The hub option lets you use just normal patch cables, which are usually more plentiful, but if you don't have a hub, buying a crossover cable is probably cheaper.

In both cases, if you aren't on a real network connection and just operating in isolation, you'll want to manually assign IP addresses to both machines. One of the typical ranges for this is 10.0.1.x, another is 192.168.1.x. Assign one machine the address of say 192.168.1.1, and have this be the 'router' as well. Assign the other machine 192.168.1.2, and point it to .1 as its router. Use 255.255.255.0 for the mask in both places. You wont have DNS so you can leave those blank.

Now you simply have to turn on file sharing on one machine, and use the IP address on the other to grab the files. You should probably be able to see the shared computer in your 'My Network Places'. I'm not an expert on windows file sharing so I can't quote you the exact steps to take, something about right click on a drive, properties, and look at the 'sharing' tab. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more details on the file sharing thing.

You may want to check out XPs "File and Settings Transfer Wizard". I forget exactly where it is, but it does a decent job of moving user profiles. You run it on the old PC and it makes this big archive file. Run the wizard on the second PC and somehow point it at this archive file to restore from.

Makes you wish PCs had FireWire target disk mode huh. :)

[lnp]

Makes you wish PCs had FireWire target disk mode huh. :)

Oh yeah.

[abudhu]

*Gets Ethernet cable (depending if the computers are near each other)*
--If not Goes and buys Router as everyone household with multiple computers 'ought to have have.
*Connects computer directly together through Ethernet cables, or through the router*
*Opens Windows Explorer*
*Right clicks C:\ Drive (Drive in question*
*Click Properties tab*
*Clicks SHARING Tab*
*Clicks stupid Windows Warning Text*
*Click Share this folder on Network Checkbox*
*Leaves Defualt Share name, but click Allow Users to Edit my Files*
*Click Apply
*Click OK*

(Repeat for other computer)

*Right clicks MY COMPUTER, or MY NETWORK PLACE ICON on Desktop*
*Click Map network drive*
*Types in \\NAME OF COMPUTER\SHARE* (Or you can use the browse feature)

--Done.

[lnp]

Awesome. The biggest hurdle is the fact that I've only got one monitor between these two machines. So I'll get this done tomorrow. Thanks all!

[powellm]

USB to IDE adapter...