I would like to network 2 computers to transfer files from the old to the new. I have a DSL connection that goes from the wall to the new computer and an ethernet cable that connects the two computers together. Is this all I need? And do I configure the two under CONTROL PANEL/NETWORK CONNECTIONS?I looked at the Windows help section and I think I am just getting confused with the jargon. Thanks in advance for the help.

You need a switch or a router.

If all you want to do is transfer files from one computer to another you don't need a switch or a router. You would only need a router if you wanted to connect bother computers to the Internet simultaneously. Even then it can be done without a router.

The cable the connects the two computers together must be a cross-over cable. A straight through cable won't work.

Assuming you have a cross-over cable, run the Network Setup Wizard on the XP machine answering the questions as appropriate. At the end you will be asked of you want to create a setup floppy. Answerer yes. Run this floppy in the other computer and they should both then be setup to allow you to transfer files from one computer to the other.

Stuart

Thanks StuartS, this "cross-over" cable, is this something that I can buy at any computer store? Does it go into the ethernet ports of both computers? Basically, I will be changing computers, my old computer has files that I want to install on my new one, once this is done the old one gets tossed (its really old)but I just have one DSL connection in the room with no router, your idea sounds like the perfect solution for me.

Thanks StuartS, this "cross-over" cable, is this something that I can buy at any computer store?

Yes. They are a common item so you won't have any trouble getting one. The only difference with a crossover cable and a standard one is the the plugs at one end of the cable is wired slightly different.

Does it go into the Ethernet ports of both computers?

Yes, just plug them and follow the instructions above.

The easiest way to transfer files from an old PC to a new one is to install the drive from the old PC into the new as the primary (IDE connector IDE#0) and move the new drive to IDE#1. Set the jumpers on both drives to "CS" so it will be aasy to install them.

Use a drive copy program to periodically backup the old drive to the new one so that if it fails you can more easily replace it with the backup drive.

If you want to continue using the old PC the crossover cable or a router would be a better solution, yes.

OK. so you don't NEED a router or a switch but it's a much better choice.

A router plays no part in it at all, none whatsoever. A router is for connecting two separate networks together, not creating one. A switch is an unnecessary expense if all you want to do is a once only file transfer. You don't have to be connected to the Internet do so it which is the only time a router will come into play.

The OP has said he is tossing the old computer. With only one computer a switch will be a redundant piece of equipment serving absolutley no useful purpose at all.

Stuart

All that is true but a router can be used as a switch and it gives added protection through NAT. Besides that, I can't count the people who post here complaining that they can't see the files using a crossover cable. I'm sure you have seen those posts too.

>> All that is true but a router can be used as a switch and it gives added protection through NAT. <<

A router cannot be used as a switch, they are two different type of equipment. Most routers designed for home use have a switch built in, as well in a lot of circumstances, a modem. If the router has four ports it has a built in switch.

NAT (Network Address Translation) is a function of a router when it is connected to two different networks (Internet/ISP + LAN) and is used so two or more computers can share the same Internet connection.

As this is not the objective in this case as there will only be one computer connected to the Internet, there is no need for NAT.

NAT gives very little protection by itself. Unless the router has a built in firewall with statefull packet inspection you will still need a sperate firewall.

The fact that people have problems with a crossover cable has nothing to do with the cable. There are many many other things that can casue problems. If the cable is at fault then it takes about five seconds to determine if that is the problem. That is what link lights on NIC and Switches and Modems are for.

The problem people have with cross-over cables is due to the fact they will probably be using it in conjunction with ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) which is problamatic. Not the case here.

Don't confuse the issue with unnecessary complications.

Stuart

Take the ethernet cable from the dsl to the computer and use it between the systems. Most newer nics autonegotiate so you may not even need a crossover cable anyway.

All you want to do is get files. Connect the two with a cross over (or common patch if a newer system) then share a folder on one. (no need to even set an IP. XP will default to a workgroup) Then use the computer name in an address. \\computer name\share name
Copy the files.

You only might have to connect as a different user if your login names are different.

>> (no need to even set an IP. XP will default to a workgroup) <<

You will still need an IP address if you are using TCP/IP which is the default network protocol for Windows. The Network Wizard will allocate IP addreees in the range 192.168.0.x.

If you use IPX as the network protocol then an IP address will not be needed but that has to be physically installed by the user and there are incompatibilities when using it between Windows 98 and Windows XP.

Stuart

XP uses APIPA by default unless you disabled it. Again, no need to set an ip address.

as per Stuart's posts, crossover cable with native Windows networking works fine for what you want to achieve.

don't bother opening up your PC and dismantling hard drives. Buying/using a router would be totally unnecessary for your purposes.

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - BILL CLINTON

Network this and network that...just rip out the old hard drive and plug it into the new computer!