Connecting my Netbook to my PC

Hi there,

So to warn you now, I'm not overly IT literate and you may have to speak to me in a very patronising way in order for me to understand. I will not be offended - I would rather understand than ask dumb questions!

So I have a netbook and a PC. Both run windows XP (though I think maybe the netbook's on SP2 and the PC's on SP3...). Rather than constantly dumping files onto a pen drive and transferring them from machine to machine, I would really like a way that I can hook them together. The best way to describe what I mean is that I'd like to be able to connect them like I can connect a pen drive - so I can move information to and from it using my PC.

Being a little naive, I purchased an A male to A male USB cable thinking that would do the trick... apparently this was a dumb move! It doesn't work. But you already knew that!

Can anyone advise me of an easy way to connect the two please? I have tried setting up a wireless network before but I was either doing something very wrong or otherwise it was just way beyond my technological capabilities! I'd really just prefer a cable...!

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

-Wendy

 

Are they both connected to your in house network? As in they both have internet access all the time?

If they are it's fairly simple. I'll wait for your reply.

 

Yes - they both have internet access all the time, through the same router.

 

One way that works for me is a USB to USB cable. I tried a couple of really inexpensive ones and both failed a just a few times use.

I finally settled on one from IOGear. It is a KVM Switch model GCS661UW6. I got it for $40 and change from http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?736984.

It is really simple to operate and you can drag and drop files from either computer to the other.

 

The netbook is XP Home (with SP3) and the desktop is XP Home also (but with SP2 - must have got them mixed up earlier; sorry)

@Scout321x I have heard about these cables but haven't spotted any in the UK yet. I'll have another look though because that does sound an easy option!

Thanks,

-Wendy

 

Wendy,

According to IOGear the GCS661UW6 and the GCS661U are the same unit with the GCS661UW6 having additional language support beyond English. When I searched I found the best price on the GCS661UW6 so I bought it.

I did a quick Google search for domains in *.uk and found the following:

http://businessforce.ltd.uk/S?sql=S'GCS661U','72.236.206.242','INTERNAL'&contenttype=text/html

http://www.pinnaclemicrogb.co.uk/newcart/search.php?g=GCS661UW6&m=IOGEAR&c=NEW

http://www.pinnaclemicrogb.co.uk/newcart/search.php?g=GCS661U&m=IOGEAR&c=NEW

I would be very surprised if there are not many more sources. You might also try eBay.uk too. Good luck!!

 

Your already connected via the router so the USB cables are a moot point.

One of the main ingredients to sharing is having the 2 computers in the same work group.
Right Click on my computer, Properties, Computer name (tab), Workgroup.
These should match for convenience.

Sharing: You will need to share the resources on each computer you want to share. From windows explorer right click on the folder you want to share and select the share option and go through the process to share the folder.
*Note: I don't have an XP home edition here to list the exact steps because it's just slightly different from XP Pro.

That should get you headed in the right direction. Please post back if you run into any snags.

 

I would agree with Scott Smith post, transferring via a network connection is a excellent long term solution. But if you are having trouble, or don't what to take the time to set it up, you could purchase / try VANTEC CB-TAU001 ezSHARE Adapter.

I have never used the above product, but I have read a couple of favorable reviews. Some users on Newegg state once plugged into computers, they need to be rebooted to establish link ... then worked fine.

 

Interesting.
Sounds like Windows doesn't care about security on USB just like the other computer was a thumb drive or something.
I know when I plug my Iphone into my computer it looks just like a Thumb drive so maybe another PC would too.
I like it.