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Thread ID: 121703 2011-11-08 00:52:00 Connecting two computers with USB cable Colpol (444) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1242407 2011-11-08 21:19:00 I've got a Targus brand USB to USB cable with a chip in the cable itself. I've had for a few years and find it quite convenient and it really is plug and play.
Works on XP, Vista & W7. It uses drag and drop and has both PC's file systems viewable on each monitor.
Tbird650 (6754)
1242408 2011-11-08 21:29:00 I've got one of those USB networking cables too but have never actually used it. I prefer Ethernet, since it's actually designed for networking it works a lot better.

I don't think you can share an Internet connection for example over those USB cables (but feel free to correct me on that!)
Agent_24 (57)
1242409 2011-11-08 22:11:00 I've got one of those USB networking cables too but have never actually used it. I prefer Ethernet, since it's actually designed for networking it works a lot better.

I don't think you can share an Internet connection for example over those USB cables (but feel free to correct me on that!) Just correcting you:D, yes you can share an internet connection if you connect using network mode, basically you create a small network and can share printers, connection, share files etc. The other mode is link mode that uses software and just connects the two for file sharing (which allows drag and drop etc).
Iantech (16386)
1242410 2011-11-08 22:18:00 I guess they are quite useful then ;) Agent_24 (57)
1242411 2011-11-08 22:23:00 Brings back memories, I can't remember the name of it but I used to use a dos based program and a serial crossover cable to transfer files between pc's pre- windows 95 days. Then I made a parralel crossover cable and used that - seemed awesomely fast at the time but files were a lot smaller. I see how it could be a convenient method in some situations to use a USB cable. But considering practically every PC around has a GigE ethernet port these days if it's a regular thing then simple networking would obviously be better. dugimodo (138)
1242412 2011-11-08 23:25:00 Laplink is the one you're thinking of, I think. Agent_24 (57)
1242413 2011-11-09 00:02:00 nope not it, pre laptop days also...

We had a "luggable" 286 at work around about then, with a monochrome amber screen.

It's on the tip of my brain, but it just won't come. I know the cables had the same name as the software.
dugimodo (138)
1242414 2011-11-09 00:48:00 'Null modem' cable? Agent_24 (57)
1242415 2011-11-09 01:08:00 No, I give up, I just can't remember and I can't find it online either. Obviously a serial crossover cable can be called a null modem but I was referring to the parallel crossover which was sometimes referrred to by the name of the software, just as it's also sometimes called a laplink cable.

Laplink does the same thing, but I'm sure that wasn't it. I remember you needed to run the software on both machines, or there was a smaller client version you could run at one end.

I know XP has a direct cable connect feature that can use the same cables also.
dugimodo (138)
1242416 2011-11-09 04:27:00 No, I give up, I just can't remember and I can't find it online either. Obviously a serial crossover cable can be called a null modem but I was referring to the parallel crossover which was sometimes referrred to by the name of the software, just as it's also sometimes called a laplink cable.

Laplink does the same thing, but I'm sure that wasn't it. I remember you needed to run the software on both machines, or there was a smaller client version you could run at one end.

I know XP has a direct cable connect feature that can use the same cables also.

Damn, I used that too but can't think of the name either. Might have a rummage in my floppy box and see if I still have it.

<Edit> The one I used was FastLynx.
Renegade (16270)
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