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Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

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4wd:
@tomos:

You don't mention what version of XP is on either machine, the workgroup designation depends on the version of XP you're using, the defaults are:
XP Home - MSHOME
XP Pro    - WORKGROUP

You'll need matching workgroups if you want to be able to easily compare directories side-by-side or use a program like Beyond Compare or WinMerge, (while they can take an IP address, it is easier if you can browse to the respective directories that you want to compare using Windows Explorer).

If you want step-by-step instructions then I don't think it's going to get much more step-by-step than Lee Indy's tutorial - all 48 steps at one step per page, (makes me want to chew my arm off but hey :) ).

I've walked through them and it looks very simple to follow, pictures are included where necessary - there's also a tutorial for connecting via a router.

No offence but considering your level of expertise in this, after finishing transferring/comparing files/directories I would recommend you unshare ALL directories (folders) you might have shared from the respective systems.  (You really only have to share folders on one system and just use the other to browse/copy any files/folders.)

If your firewall is proving to block the connection then there is also tutorials on how to turn the most popular ones off here.  REMEMBER to turn it back on BEFORE connecting to the internet.

EDIT: He seems to be relying on APIPA, (169.254.x.x), addresses to be assigned by default, (to save the reader from delving into network settings), as such it can take 2-3 minutes before they are assigned - the amount of time XP takes to decide there really is no 'outside' world ;)

EDIT: Boy my grammar goes to pot sometimes - corrected.

lanux128:
can you confirm that the PCs are ping-able?
-lanux128 (August 24, 2010, 09:41 PM)
--- End quote ---
no!
-tomos (August 26, 2010, 10:39 AM)
--- End quote ---

this is strange.. at this juncture, it might be helpful to have a screenshot of ipconfig /all for both PCs.

btw, a couple more t/shooting links:
• peer to peer workgroup setup - http://www.chicagotech.net/workgroupsetup.htm
• Troubleshooting ipconfig - http://www.chicagotech.net/troubleshootingipconfig.htm


P.S. also a spare set of cables would help eliminate the possibility of cable error..

tomos:
thanks 4WD for that link
I'll work my way through those (steps)

after finishing transferring/comparing files/directories I would recommend you unshare ALL directories (folders) you might have shared from the respective systems.  (You really only have to share folders on one system and just use the other to browse/copy any files/folders.)
-4wd (August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM)
--- End quote ---
-
I'm not worried about making the one pc totally insecure cause it doesnt get connected to the internet and would just be temporarily connect to other pc. It's just sitting there so I thought I'd use it for backup at least but there's also some older stuff I want to copy off of it. But I will keep that in mind ;-) (with security I'm reasonably careful - I think anyways...)

jdd:
might try something like this (same idea as suggested by rjbull & jdd) - the cables shown in that TC link seem to be focused on copying stuff from older pc to newer one - in fact at least one of them seem to simply start copying stuff automatically according to an amazon review. They all work with their own software
--- End quote ---

FYI  There is no 'special' software required with most of the USB datalink connections that are designed for this purpose, such as the one I mentioned earlier. You should be able to use any flavor of Windows Explorer software.

With XP, the drivers are loaded automatically when you connect the computers with the USB cables and, voila....you can copy or backup or move files from one to the other.  Nothing should start copying or moving files automatically unless you set it up to intentionally do that.

You do not need to mess around with Internet connections or IP addresses, or work groups or pinging or any of this other stuff.

tomos:
thanks jdd, I think I'm going to keep going (for another while) with the epic network-style connection. I wouldnt mind setting up a network at some stage and reckon I'm learning a lot of the basics here :up:

@4WD
my god that was a helpful, but a very painful link there lol :D
If you want step-by-step instructions then I don't think it's going to get much more step-by-step than Lee Indy's tutorial - all 48 steps at one step per page, (makes me want to chew my arm off but hey :) ).
-4wd (August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM)
--- End quote ---
*now* I understand about the chewing the arm off comment - is he trying to maximise his advertising views or what... Ironically the layout makes it very difficult to follow & he often has comments before the Step ## instructions which I didnt notice for a while..

But the step by step thing did make me realise:
the one XP is in German and the other English. I dont think this should cause a problem (maybe I should have said it sooner though) and I did check the workgroup names (but at different times) and was simply thinking, yeah, they're both default.
I was so bogged down with everything I didnt look at them side by side :-[
Of course the German one is in German... and the English one .... is in English

So I will have another go soon(ish) & report back

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