networking two in house computers

[SWTexasBLAZER]

howdy all....i am having some issues with my computer which are leading me to reformating the hard drive. before i do that i want to network my pc with my laptop so i can copy my files to it (music and pictures and such) so i won't loose them. i basically am not sure how to do this. i have internet connection through my apartment here at school. i also have a hub (not being used) and plenty of extra internet cables and usb cables if i need them. i just need the steps to do this. my thanks
p-dub

[John Prophet]

what operating system is on both computers?

do both computers have an ethernet (lan) card?

[SWTexasBLAZER]

yes both of them have the ethernet card..both are running windows xp home edition

[HeadBand]

you can either use a crossover cable or two straight cables and the hub...all you do is connect them set them up on a network of the same name, map a network drive(if you want) and you're done...to make it easier you can use the wizard with xp

[mad1]

Can you make a folder on one computer "available off line" and then then a Identical folder on the other computer, this has been used on WIN 2K to syncronize a laptop with a desktop? Once the computers are tied together(wtih router or hub) will the folders be syncronized in WIN Xp Pro?
I used the network wizard on my setup at home,windows xp pro, and it worked fine. I found one issue is that the firewall had to be turned off to get communications between the computers, using Norton Personal Firewall.

[SWTexasBLAZER]

can i just hook one end of an USB cable to one puter and the other end to the other puter and transfer files that way?

[John Prophet]

the only problem with that....is that the usb cable doesnt have the right end on one end.

A regular "crossover" cat 5 cable is all you need....go from one nic card to the other nic and then all you really have to do is make sure the comps have different names....and make sure the firewall is OFF on both of them.

then all you really have to do is "share" the correct folders on the main computer...basically right click the folders you want to share and there should be an option that says "sharing"...so you share them.

Then you go to the laptop and go to "my network places" and you should be able to see the folders you shared...then you just double click them to get at the goodies inside.

JP

[Starfury_2260]

there are special usb transfer cables, but you're better off using crossover cable. i networked my desktop and laptop by crossover. Just set one comp's IP on the connection (LAN) between them to 192.168.0.1 and the other to something after that (192.168.0.3) then make sure they are both on same workgroup (like MSHOME). Then choose the folder you want to backup and share it. Make sure you turn on file sharing for the connection between the comps. You may have to run the set up a home or small office network wizard before all that.

Once you do all that you should be able to get on the one you want to tranfer stuff to and go to network places and view workgroup computers. Hopefully the other system will appear there and you can open it to access the folde you shared.