I want to use a program called Laplink that I recently acquired to transfer files between my desktop and laptop but it says I need a null modem cable. What exactly is a null modem cable and where do I get one and is it cheap? Thanks

You can adapt a standard parallel cable using a Laplink adapter or converter. You connect the adapter to the centronic side of the cable and get a standard DB25 connector.You may also find the Laplink cable ready to connect without the use of adapters .Special cables also exist for the high speed ECP/EPP ports.Null modem cables are easy to find at electronics store like Radio Shack or Compucentre or similar retailers in your region.When connected the program can be used. Good luck.

A null modem cable allows you to connect two computers directly to each other via their communications ports (Serial or RS-232 ports). Null modems are particularly useful with notebooks that don't have CD ROM drives because you can transfer large installation programs from desktop to notebook in order to install them on the notebook. For example, I've used Laplink and a null modem to transfer Win 95 Cab files to a notebook which didn't have a CD ROM drive. It's also useful for transfering data files from one machine to another instead of doing so via floppy or a network. I think you can also play games accross 2 machines using a null modem but I've never tried it. Null modem cables can be found cheaply on eBay - in the UK they sell for around 2 to 5 pounds each. They are sometimes advertised as serial cables and come with either 9 or 25 pin connectors - sometimes having both types of connector on a single cable.

Thanks for all the info. I see quite a few on ebay but, with shipping, most would be $10 or more? Is this too much? How much should I be paying for one of these cables?

I've seen them at W*M for about $6. Been a while, though.

If buying a cable for gaming or transferring file do not buy one to connect com ports together as the transfer is VERY slow. use parallel port bi-directional cable they are much faster (I have both types). Also read this site. http://www.tecno.demon.co.uk/dcc/dcc.html Although this tells about win95, the cables are the same for laplink.

Take a look at http://www.powerload.fsnet.co.uk/cable.htm if you want to try and build your own! and for some usefull links. Yes parallel laplink cables are faster than null-modem (serial) cables. But if you have a driveless laptop, only a null-modem cable is able to upload the laplink program via the cable. Any good computer store should be able to supply both types of cable.