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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Golfer on October 18, 2006, 10:30:17 PM

Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 18, 2006, 10:30:17 PM
Is it possible to take an ethernet cable from a laptop to a desktop and have them connect to one another for the purpose of sending files from the laptop to the desktop?

If so...how :)
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Boroda on October 18, 2006, 10:42:37 PM
You need a "hub" ("switch", "concentrator") box, or simply a special cable (crossover). If you have networking people at work - just ask them to make such a cable for you, or go buy it in a nearest computer shop.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 18, 2006, 10:57:31 PM
Is this something I can make by chopping up a few ethernet cables?  I've got those!

I took a look at bestbuy.com and they have a 14' one for 25 bucks so I'm not feeling bad at all.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: DiabloTX on October 18, 2006, 11:11:16 PM
Yeah, a "crossover" or a "patch" cable will work.  They also have software specifically for this at best buy or office depot or where ever.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 18, 2006, 11:13:15 PM
If I bought a crossover from best buy (looked at a Geek Squad unit online) do I need software in addition to that or will it be an option in my "network connections" list?

Thanks
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: DiabloTX on October 18, 2006, 11:25:18 PM
Honestly, I couldn't tell you as I've never done this.  But from what I understand the software makes it alot easier.  I sold quite a few of them when I worked at Office Depot a while back.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Boroda on October 18, 2006, 11:26:39 PM
It depends on your OS, but usually you don't need anything else.

If you have a standard RJ-45 TP patch-cord you can easily make a crossover yourself: cut it in two and connect green wires on one end to orange on other. White-orange to white-red, solid orange to solid red. You need to simply connect "transmit" wires on one end to "recieve" wires on another, and vice versa. If you have some adhesive insulating tape - it's no problem at all.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 18, 2006, 11:29:21 PM
is an RJ-45 a regular ethernet cord?  I'm very  much retarded in these matters

 I've got a patch cord that the cable guy left here with my modem.  It has "patch cord" printed on the side with the white/orange/green/blue wires.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: ramzey on October 19, 2006, 12:08:53 AM
cant you just buy USB cables to do this?

edit
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/248
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Debonair on October 19, 2006, 12:20:28 AM
"lol"
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: ramzey on October 19, 2006, 12:30:04 AM
whats funny in that?

there is many other methods to transfer files between PC's

wireles to wireles
usb to usb, serial to serial


if you have desktop connected to dsl or cable, just pick up router and go wireless, create workgroup and use it for both of your computers
or if you like you can connect both of them by cable via router

If desktop is not connected to internet buy cheap wireless card and use peer to peer connection. I assume you do have wireless in your laptop?
If you dont like to buy PCI wireless card, buy cheap router .In this case works same as wireles acces point or you can buy wireless acces point.

If distance is no issue , buy USB cables. If distance is  a isssue, go wireless , dont bother with wires.

cost of solution is 20$+/- 10$ depends on what you pick
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: FBplmmr on October 19, 2006, 05:24:33 AM
Quote
Originally posted by ramzey
cant you just buy USB cables to do this?

edit
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/248


 the guy asked if he could use an ethernet cable...please follow along:rolleyes:
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Nilsen on October 19, 2006, 05:46:05 AM
The fastest solution would be firewire to firewire if you have them on both. I belive that is actually faster than gigabit to gigabit patch cabeling even if gb is faster in theory.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: x0847Marine on October 19, 2006, 09:41:51 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Golfer
Is this something I can make by chopping up a few ethernet cables?  I've got those!

I took a look at bestbuy.com and they have a 14' one for 25 bucks so I'm not feeling bad at all.


You can get a router for $25. BTW a generic cat 5 / crossover is $9 or $10 at a place like Frys.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Eagler on October 19, 2006, 09:47:42 AM
you coulda burned it to a dvd by now :)
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: lukster on October 19, 2006, 10:01:12 AM
What do you have on hand? Do both of your computers have wired network adapters? Do you have ethernet cables? Does either of your computers have a wireless adapter?
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 19, 2006, 10:19:44 AM
the file i want to send is too big for a cd.  It's about 1.5GB.

I have a firewire...hmmm...will see what that does.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: lukster on October 19, 2006, 10:25:23 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Golfer
the file i want to send is too big for a cd.  It's about 1.5GB.

I have a firewire...hmmm...will see what that does.


Of course you would need firewire on both computers and a cable to connect them. If both of your computers have an ehternet port and you already have 2 ethernet cables then buying the cheapest hub you can find would probably be easiest. If you have ethernet ports but no cables then a crossover cable would probably be cheapest. Networking is built in to Windows 95 and up though you may have to enable file sharing. Once you get the hardware ready tell us and I or someone else can tell you how to transfer your file.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 19, 2006, 10:31:27 AM
well I have the firewire cable connected.  got the little "ding" from both computers saying somethin is there.

I tried setting up a direct connection...but can't seem to connect from the desktop to the laptop.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: lukster on October 19, 2006, 10:40:16 AM
You'll need to configure a few things on both pcs and turn file and print sharing on for the computer that has the file you want to xfer. assuming it has Windows XP you can do this by going into the control panel, network connections, right click and choose properties on the 1394 (firewire connection). Select internet protocol (tcp/ip) and change the ip address from configure automatically to manually and enter 192.168.0.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Then the the same for the other pc but use 192.168.0.2 instead.

Then enable file and print sharing on the pc with the file. If it is in the list with the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check the box if it's not. If it's not listed there click install and choose it from the list.

Once that's done you need to share the file/folder. Right click the folder the file is in and choose share.

Now, from the otehr computer click start-run and type \\othercomputername The share should then be listed. Open it, find your file and copy and paste.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 19, 2006, 10:52:16 AM
you da man!

Worked like a champ!  I can't thank you enough!


I think somewhere I went wrong but when I used the "search" function I was able to search for the computer name (laptop) and found the shared documents file through that.

It may be hokey, redneck and the poor mans network but by golly it worked :)  Thanks again!
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: lukster on October 19, 2006, 10:57:15 AM
Name resolution can be iffy. Should have told you to type start-run \\othercomputersipaddress. Glad you got it. :aok

Better clarify, that would be start-run \\192.168.0.2 or \\192.168.0.1 depending on which computer you are on.



If neither firewire adapter had never or at least not recently been used (as I suspect) it probably wouldn't be necessary to assign an ip address. They should default to a Microsoft standard of 169.x.x.x. The only problem with using that is they might be the same which won't work or one of them might have been used at some point giving it another network address which also wouldn't work.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Ripsnort on October 19, 2006, 10:59:54 AM
200 gig external drive back up :) Plug it in one laptop, download, unplug and replug into 2nd laptop. Mission Accomplished!
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: ramzey on October 19, 2006, 11:00:03 AM
Quote
Originally posted by FBplmmr
the guy asked if he could use an ethernet cable...please follow along:rolleyes:


as i said, there is many other and safer ways then playing with soldering ,cables and laptop
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: RightF00T on October 19, 2006, 11:50:40 AM
Wow...I could have used this thread 2 months ago :>  had a hell of a time transferring files from laptop to desktop using  a crossover.  My problem was the connection was there I just couldnt "see" the other computer.  Believe me I searched all over the net, and answers couldnt have been more vague.

This would be nice for a sticky as I'm sure many want to do this when upgrading.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Heater on October 19, 2006, 02:46:15 PM
Use a Patch cable,
Set up the TCP stack on both systems as follows,

ip Address on system one: 192.168.1.100
subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
gateway of 192.168.1.1

Second system:

ip address on system 2: 192.168.1.101
subnetmask of 255.255.255.0
gateway of 192.168.1.1


to make sure the systems can see each other open a command line on one of the system and ping the other ip address i.e. from system one type ping 192.168.1.101

if it can see the other computer you will get a response.


once this works
 you can either share the directory you want to copy back ad forth too or you can map the drive  (use the administartors account and you you can map the hidden share using the following:

\\192.168.1.101\C$ and connect as the administrator of system 2
this will map the complete C drive to the other computer

Cheers
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Golfer on October 19, 2006, 02:48:10 PM
this post definately needs to be sticky.
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: Roscoroo on October 19, 2006, 03:27:50 PM
i cheat the other way ... load messenger on bolth pc's open it up and swap the file ..

 if you open the pc's up for File sharing beshure you password protect everything .  just remember if not done correctly it leaves a backdoor open . or a ip addy that can be seen to others
Title: Computer "networking" question
Post by: bj229r on October 19, 2006, 06:26:52 PM
how to make crossover cable out of patch cable

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/about-ethernet-crossover.asp

(ya have to give each machine a similar tcp/ip adddress)