What is the use(s) for this USB cable Male/Male?

I want to move the content of my old PC (win98) to a new one (XP) and have been unable to find a clear answer as to why DCC will not work with an USB cable

I found some postings here that seem say that it will not work but when I try to reply to these posts I get the message that they are too old.

One advert for these cables talks about connecting up to 20 computers in a network. I guess that if I connect my two I would need a network card in each?

Is there soltware that will let data transfer with one of these cables?

I don't think you can use standard male A to male A cables for DCC, you need a bit of electronics in the middle to sort out the signals - something like this one. Normal male to male USB cables are the a to b type as used for connecting peripherals like printers - not used for networking.
If you're looking at linking multiple PCs then network cards, hubs etc. are the logical way to go.

"I know that I'm mad, I've always been mad"

Hi,

You cannot move data from one pc to another via USB without a special link cable.

UK example here

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=25600&doy=2m4

US

http://www.usbgear.com/link/index.html

hth

Ceri

Thank you for the replies. Thats just what I needed to know.

Hi, I have a cable like you describe and don't know where it came from. It is not suitable as the Read and Write leads would have to be crossed ala the old Serial port Nul Modem cables. I would also remove the +5 lead from one end. No need to connect the two machines power supplies. Now if someone just had a free program to run the USB. Oh well, I guess I'll just stick to my Local Net. Hope this helps a bit, Jim