I was informed by my friend that I can transfer or share data with another computer via an ethernet cable, and that I didnt have to be connected to the internet. I tried it, and I failed. So my question is, how do I accomplish this? I recently purchased a new PC and I want to transfer some files. How would I go by doing that? or is there any free or inexpensive methods of doing it? besides the burning files to a cd or dvd and doing like that. Thanks in advanced.

Bet you used a patch cable and not a crossover cable between pcs. A patch [straight thru] is for connecting dislike interfaces [switch port and nic port for example].

You need a crossover to connect two nics together. Then just run the network setup wizard and your networking/data transfer is ready to go.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

wanderer, thanks for the response. This may answer your question? I used the ethernet cable that came with my DSL modem? Probably a patch? Well I made an ethernet cable back in school and I THINK is a crossover cable. If I find it, all I have to do is run the wizard in which Computer? old one which has xp pro or new one which has vista? Also can I use the Windows Easy Transfer? thanks in advanced.

Save yourself some trouble and go by a xover cable.

Windows easy tranfer? No that is a Vista feature for transferring accounts/settings from your old pc to the new vista one.

That is not what you described in your first post. You want to enable networking so you can xfer files.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

I dont want a network I just want an inexpensive way to transfer and my friend told me about that, sounded easy so I tried it but I failed. So I was asking what did I do wrong but I guess I was using the wrong cable.

"I dont want a network..." You need to enable networking to connect the two computers... That's what wanderer told you...

Life's more painless for the brainless.

You may find just purchasing a 1-4gig usb stick the best way for you to transfer information.

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

Maybe, but not when I have to transfer more than 100gb.

Then get a cross-over cable. :)

Life's more painless for the brainless.

One last question, the ethernet cable that came with my dsl modem is probably not a crossover cable? because I tried that and I failed.

Usually a factory-made XOVER cable will have "XOVER" printed along the length in small print. However many internet appliances like routers and modems now have auto-MUX built in, meaning they can test whether the cable is XOVER or not and change settings internally. The cable that came with your modem is almost certainly a straight-thru because the modem has auto-MUX built in.

In a direcet PC-to-PC setup, such as you are attempting, you're trying to connect the NIC in one PC to the NIC in the other PC and transfer data. NICs rarely have auto-MUX capability hence the need for a crossover cable. You can build your own using instructions freely available on the Internet (google "making a crossover cable")or buy one at an electronics store.

Almost every new network card auto configures. We don't buy cross over cables anymore. We just have to hunt one up if we get an older machine.

Only one side has to auto configure.

I suspect the issue was setup rather than the cable.

Start with the help and support center page for home networking walkthrough.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

The cable that I used before was indeed a patch cable, so I purchased a crossover cable today and I failed again. Does anybody have an idea on how to do this? help and support just show you how to set up a network. They want you to use that special transferring cable which is like 40 bucks? yeah ok. thanks in advanced!

j1mm3h,

Good place to start.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Wi...

Note: If one of the computers is running Windows XP, you might need to put the computers in the same workgroup.

To do this, on the XP PC go to:
Start >> Control Panel >> System. Select the Computer Name tab. Click the Change button. Change the Workgroup name to the same as your Vista PC (I think the Vista default is just WORKGROUP). Reboot.

You might also need to turn on file sharing on the computer running Windows XP.

Here's how:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com...

Once that's done, do this on the new Vista PC:

Click Start, and then click Network. The Network window displays a list of computers in your Workgroup, which should now include your old PC.

Double-click the name of the computer containing the shared files/folders that you want to access.

Drag & drop all the files you want to your new PC, and VOILA.

If you have problems with any of this, state specifically what they are please, rather than say "I failed" because then nobody has any idea why! :)