Transferring files from one laptop to another using an ethernet crossover cable

Piste

Hi there, I'm trying to transfer files from an old laptop to a new one. I bought a crossover ethernet cable but I can't seem to get it working. Online instructions and the help centre hasn't been much use. One problem is that the old laptop is running Windows XP and the new one is running Vista. My new laptop is visible under "workgroups" on the old laptop but I need a password to access the new laptop, it's not accepting the password I use to log onto my profile on the new laptop so I'm not sure what the password could be. The old laptop is not visible under "workgroups" on the new laptop.

Anyone have any ideas how I could get this working? It could be that network sharing is turned off on the old laptop, but I can't find where to switch it back on again. It's very frustrating!

bonzodog2

You can share the root of the drive with c:-->properties-->sharing tab. Not normally recommended, but safe enough with a crossover cable. I cant remember offhand what the share name is this way, maybe C$ ? I usually share folders, then connect from the destination machine and connect network drive like \\192.168.1.4\sharename

mp22

Make shure that the network name in xp is set to workgroup (xp network is mshome by default)

Naikon

You need to use a crossover ethernet cable and ensure both network interfaces have separate IP's which belong to the same subnet(i.e /24 -> 255.255.255.0 which means you can address any computer with an ip from 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.254 for example. Both machines 4th place/octet should have a num in the range 0-254. For example, PC1_IP: 192.168.0.128 PC_2_IP: 192.168.0.64. Leave the default gateway blank, as they are both in the same subnet.
As a default, just use 255.255.255.0 for the subnet mask. You should see orange/green lights on the network cards if the link layer is up. Otherwise, check the cable. Only then should you set the IP/subnet mask.

Mention any problems and I will have a look. Frustrating, but you can do this OP:)

Gadgetman496

Connect Two Computers using a Crossover Cable

Ever needed to connect two computers together to share files and folders without going through a wireless network or Router?

In order for this setup to work, there are a few things you need to make sure are setup or configured properly. I will try to go through all the different steps.


Step 1 – Configure IP Addresses

Usually, if you are using a crossover cable to connect two computers, the computers are not connected to a LAN network. In this case, you will need to configure static IP addresses for each computer.
You have to make sure that both computers have IP addresses that are on the same subnet. For example, if you give one computer an IP address of 192.168.0.1, then you should give the second computer an IP of 192.168.0.2.
If you used the above IP addresses, you should use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. If you use an incorrect subnet mask, the connection will not work.
Lastly, the value for the default gateway should be the same on both machines. You can pick which IP address you want to use, but use it on both computers for the default gateway. Below is how my setup looks for one computer:

Step 2 – Crossover Cable (available in most computer stores)

The second thing you need to verify is that you actually have a proper crossover cable. Basically, there are a few different types of crossover cables, but it’s best to get the standard crossover cable where the green and orange pairs are swapped and the brown and blue pairs stay in the same position.

The only pins that need to be crossed are 1,3 and 2,6. So just check your cable on both end and make sure it matches the diagram.


Step 3 – Local User Accounts

If you’re having problems accessing files both ways, you may have to create a user account on each computer that has the same name and same password. This helps get past any kind of Access is Denied errors that may pop up.
Make sure the accounts are administrator accounts also! It’s best to create a new account rather than rename a current account.


Step 4 – Disable Firewalls
(remember, you are in standalone mode so it's safe to disable temporarily).

Finally, you should disable the firewall on both computers to ensure that none of the file sharing ports are being blocked. You can do this by going to Control Panel and then Windows Firewall. Click on Off.

That’s about it! If you follow all these steps, each computer should be able to access the other properly.


-

Naikon

gadgetman496 wrote: »

Connect Two Computers using a Crossover Cable

Ever needed to connect two computers together to share files and folders without going through a wireless network or Router?

In order for this setup to work, there are a few things you need to make sure are setup or configured properly. I will try to go through all the different steps.


Step 1 – Configure IP Addresses

Usually, if you are using a crossover cable to connect two computers, the computers are not connected to a LAN network. In this case, you will need to configure static IP addresses for each computer.
You have to make sure that both computers have IP addresses that are on the same subnet. For example, if you give one computer an IP address of 192.168.0.1, then you should give the second computer an IP of 192.168.0.2.
If you used the above IP addresses, you should use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. If you use an incorrect subnet mask, the connection will not work.
Lastly, the value for the default gateway should be the same on both machines. You can pick which IP address you want to use, but use it on both computers for the default gateway. Below is how my setup looks for one computer:

Step 2 – Crossover Cable (available in most computer stores)

The second thing you need to verify is that you actually have a proper crossover cable. Basically, there are a few different types of crossover cables, but it’s best to get the standard crossover cable where the green and orange pairs are swapped and the brown and blue pairs stay in the same position.

The only pins that need to be crossed are 1,3 and 2,6. So just check your cable on both end and make sure it matches the diagram.


Step 3 – Local User Accounts

If you’re having problems accessing files both ways, you may have to create a user account on each computer that has the same name and same password. This helps get past any kind of Access is Denied errors that may pop up.
Make sure the accounts are administrator accounts also! It’s best to create a new account rather than rename a current account.


Step 4 – Disable Firewalls
(remember, you are in standalone mode so it's safe to disable temporarily).

Finally, you should disable the firewall on both computers to ensure that none of the file sharing ports are being blocked. You can do this by going to Control Panel and then Windows Firewall. Click on Off.

That’s about it! If you follow all these steps, each computer should be able to access the other properly.


-

Not trying to annoy you, but you should cite the source !

http://helpdeskgeek.com/networking/connect-two-computers-using-a-crossover-cable/

k123456

V good post and v useful, is this possible using wireless

Bob_Harris

You'll want to set up a shared folder (with write permissions) in Vista, and turn off password protected sharing in "Network and Sharing Center" under "Advanced Sharing Settings".

Your XP machine should then see the shared folder and have permission to write to it.

Bob_Harris

k123456 wrote: »

V good post and v useful, is this possible using wireless

Wireless "crossover" is called Ad-hoc. Some network adapters don't support it or just don't work well with it (usually USB wlan adapters).