Simple Networking help

Hello!

I'm new to this forum! Anyway, let me get to the point. I have a pc and a laptop, Both running on windows vista Ultimate. Now, I would like establish a connection between the to so that I can transfer files from my pc to the laptop.

Which is the simplest way to get it done? I also have an internet router which provides 1 slot for an ethernet cord and another for a Usb cord.

Help will be really appreciated!!

 

Are you sure it's a router? Most would have more than 1 LAN port.

Make/Model?

 

Yes. Its a very basic router that serves the purpose for internet. Chinese make i suppose

 

If you let us know what make/model it is it would help.

 

You need to buy a small switch. A four port switch would suit you. Then you connect the PC, laptop, and router to the switch and they will all talk together.

 

Hi ReggieB, I'm still not convinced the OP has a router, 1 usb and 1 lan port indicates to me a cable modem (I know some of them have routing capabilities but isn't this dependant on the ISP enabling them?)

I'd feel more comfortable knowing the hardware involved before advising buying additional hardware.

 

Is there anyway to connect them both without the router? I mean..with just one lan cable? I really need to get this done within 2 days.

 

If it's only for file sharing then this would be a good place to start.

 

Yes. Its only for transferring files. Nothing else.

Thanks for the link! So, I connect both the pc and laptop [both on vista] using the cable. I've got it till there. Now I'm supposed to play with the IP configs of both right? I'm a complete noob. Just a step by step guide will help me a lot!!

 

Sorry I don't use vista and that previous link was a little sparse on info, try this one.

 

I was actually looking for the tcp/ip configurations

 

Whenever i connect them both, all they show is "unidentified network "

 

Further down in that page is a link for tcp/ip settings

 

I did have a look at that. But what IPs am i supposed to key in to these two systems? and what about the default gateway? Suppose i want to transfer a certain file or folder form my pc to the laptop, what exactly am i supposed to do?

 

PC1 192.168.0.1 mask 255.255.255.0

PC2 192.168.0.2 mask 255.255.255.0

Leave the gateway blank.

Of course, if you had a switch, the router would have sorted the IPs out for you.

 

and then what am i supposed to do!

 

Sorry darkitty but I've never set up two computers in this way, or used vista for that matter.

Have you made sure you have a crossover cable though.

Best advice I can give is get yourself a router, it'll make life much easier.

Other than that wait for someone else to help or use google.

 

well thanks for the quick answers!!

 

Try working through this guide:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb727037.aspx

Which is linked to in this forum's FAQ.

 

thanks! I'll give this a shot

Do i have to do this on both the systems?