is there a way...

... to connect my laptop to my desktop to transfer files?

Yes, they are working on a way to connect multiple computers together.. one day hoping to build a world-wide network.

[quote728748131c="CollidgeGraduit"]Yes, they are working on a way to connect multiple computers together.. one day hoping to build a world-wide network.[/quote728748131c]

funny

/pokes CG in the eye. P

Yes you can, Twon. The easiest way is through a hub or switch, but if you don't have either, get a cross-over ethernet cable and plug it between the two computers. Then share folders between them as necessary.

get a cross-over ethernet cable... gttcha. Googling now.
I am so... not smart.

Is This One[=http//cgi.ebay.ca/10-FT-CROSSOVER-ETHERNET-NETWORK-CABLE-CAT5E-10FT-RED_W0QQitemZ310050468101QQihZ021QQcategoryZ58302QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]This One ok? Do I need to use any specific program, or should I be able to do the transferring through My Computer?

I am probably wrong on this, but don't you need a CAT6 cable when connecting between computers?

Almost all new ethernet cards (as well as most made in the last 3 - 5 years) support automatic crossover (hence you don't need an ethernet crossover cable, but just a simple straight-through cable - like you probably have your computer plugged into right now). In addition, if just one of the computers you are using has this feature, the connection should still work fine with a straight-though cable. The feature is called Automatic MDI/MDI-X Configuration.

If you have this capability (and I assume you probably do), simply plug the two computers into either ends of the same ethernet cable, and then configure them with static private IPs in the same subnet (try 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.101 in a 255.255.255.0 subnet). Now any files marked as shared should be easily transferrable.

[quote2ca1a48966="Daggoth"]I am probably wrong on this, but don't you need a CAT6 cable when connecting between computers?[/quote2ca1a48966]
No. The CAT level of a cable has nothing do with connecting two PC's. Higher CAT levels support higher frequencies which mean higher bandwidth without data loss. CAT6 is super shielded to support high bandwidth in a noisy environment or with extra lengthy cable runs, but would be overkill for most people. CAT5e is rated for Gigabit, CAT5 for 100Mbps, but honestly I've gotten those speeds from crappy old CAT3/4 cables over short distances.

Yes Twon, that's the sort of cross-over cable I was referring to. But gafdpc is probably right about the Auto-MDX feature on current NIC's, so you may only need a straight-through (ordinary) cable. I've not attempted to cross-connect PC's in years now. I run pretty large LANs both at home and at work, the primary places I'd be connecting PC's together -- I don't think I even own a cross-over cable anymore.

Do you have an iPod? I usually just use my iPod to transfer files. If it's in disk mode you can drag and drop stuff on and off it. 160GB USB key!

just get a linksys wireless router that has the switch built into it. Share out any folders you want, it's so simple it's crazy.

[quote6794cb5ebd="manOFice"]just get a linksys wireless router that has the switch built into it. Share out any folders you want, it's so simple it's crazy.[/quote6794cb5ebd]
No point buying a wireless router if he just needs a switch. Hubs/switches are dirt cheap and there is no setup to do. If on the the other hand he wants to share his internet connection among multiple PC's, and get a hardware firewall to boot, then yeah I would agree (although personally I'd steer towards something other than Linksys, but that's just me).

If they're both on the same network, use AIM 5.9 to transfer the file with two screenames. The Download/Upload times will be very fast because it's going through the same server.
That's what I do in worst case scenarios where my Shared Doc's won't work.

You can get one of the media centers that let you use your media where ever, creative has one for music. and there are more which I am to lazy to look up.

what i usually do is go onto the same workgroup as the other computers under the same router, and yea...transferring files is a breeze, just go to my network places.

Like D said. Cross-Over Cable or your Router.

As long as you know your router settings running network setup on both will get you throught it (XP) > make sure same workgroup, and security settings allow the file sharing. Once working it is super easy. I'm currently transferring my old PC data to my new PC via router. I wish I could take advantage of using 1000mbps on the new pc, but not worth the upgrade on the old. I will be yanking my 200gig out of the old and leaving the 80gig in to give the system to my friend. The problem is windows is on the 200 gig. Hence the transfer. I have an old XP from school. Any way to get the key and activation off the system for reinstall???