Connecting two computers via USB - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Gatorade Frost · 08-11-2005, 01:02 PM

Is it possible to connect two computers using a USB cable (basically cutting out a router or anything).

I'm trying to copy files between a new laptop and an old computer and I didn't know if it was possible, or how to do it.

Thanks.

vanblah · 08-11-2005, 01:33 PM

Apparently, there IS a USB crossover cable:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm

Scroll about halfway down the page.

An ethernet hub is not that expensive and could be used for the same thing ...

flat5 · 08-11-2005, 01:38 PM

You may need one other piece of hardware.

http://windowsnetworking.com/article...s/usbmain.html

cyrnel · 08-11-2005, 01:42 PM

Firewire/1394 yes, USB no. The problem to work around is that USB is a single master bus. One system would have to control all activity. It could be done with a polling driver but I haven't seen it. Anyone else?

Might be easier to install the new laptop drive as a slave on the old system. If you're not that adventurous, pick up a couple ethernet adapters. PCI 10/100Mb cards are about $5. USB 10/100Mb adapters maybe $25.

cyrnel · 08-11-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

You may need one other piece of hardware.

That'd work.

I'd save my money - not cards or adapters - and put one or another drive in an <a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductList.jsp?ThirdCategoryCode=010110">external USB enclosure.</a> They sell for $20-50, and would be useful beyond this initial transfer.

MikeSty · 08-11-2005, 03:31 PM

USB enclosures FTW.

Another nice thing is a USB/IDE adapter, and a wall outlet / 4-pin molex adapter. Great for repairing harddrives or extracting data and fun stuff.

ratbastid · 08-11-2005, 03:50 PM

Do both machines have ethernet? If so, a simple cat-5 crossover cable is what you want to use.

MooseMan3000 · 08-11-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

Do both machines have ethernet? If so, a simple cat-5 crossover cable is what you want to use.

What he said. Cat-5 Crossover is super easy and fast, as well as cheap (I bought a 10' for $10 at Radio Shack). That is, as long as both computers have ethernet cards. If not, you could always install one (just bought one off of Newegg for $8 when my motherboard's 10/100 shat the bed).

You probably can connect via USB, but unless they're both USB 2, the connection will be reeeallly sloooow. Even if they're USB 2, the connection won't be as fast as ethernet.

Why do you want to connect them directly anyway? Do you need to backup a whole HDD, or get large files off of it? Unless you're transferring a lot, you could always put the stuff on floppies, or email it to yourself. Just an idea.

Gatorade Frost · 08-11-2005, 07:26 PM

With the Cat5 cables, I'd just have to plug a cable into both computers and it'll show up or do I have to do anything networking related?

feelgood · 08-11-2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatorade Frost

With the Cat5 cables, I'd just have to plug a cable into both computers and it'll show up or do I have to do anything networking related?

You need to set the IP address on both machine to be on the same network.

Computer 1: 162.10.10.1
Computer 2: 162.10.10.2

Once you set the ip address, the computer should appear in the network neighbourhood

Don't forget to reset the ip address back to whatever it was before, after you're finish with whatever it is that you need to do.

MikeSty · 08-11-2005, 09:30 PM

And most importantly, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CROSS-OVER CABLE.

Marvelous Marv · 08-11-2005, 10:14 PM

A few months ago, I bought one of those USB cables I saw in the picture. It came with software, but it never worked right. The software would cause crashes.

Wingless · 08-11-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feelgood

You need to set the IP address on both machine to be on the same network.

Computer 1: 162.10.10.1
Computer 2: 162.10.10.2

Once you set the ip address, the computer should appear in the network neighbourhood

Don't forget to reset the ip address back to whatever it was before, after you're finish with whatever it is that you need to do.

How do you set the IP address on your own computer?

feelgood · 08-12-2005, 03:24 AM

It's early in the morning but there's probably a simplier way of doing this

Control Panel->Network Connection->Local Area Network(Or whatever it is called on your computer, there should be only 1 anyways)

Click on Properties
Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -Don't uncheck it, just select it
Click on Properties
Click on "Use the folliwing IP address" option
Enter the ip address and then ok
Connect the 2 computer using the crossover cable.
Restart the machine

sashime76 · 08-13-2005, 10:27 AM

I have one such cable (Compaq) similar to this one:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/priority...sb20sulid.html

Install software before you hook it up to PCs. Works quite well.

Wingless · 08-13-2005, 10:16 PM

Thank you Mr. Feelgood!

08-11-2005, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gatorade Frost Rookie	Connecting two computers via USB Is it possible to connect two computers using a USB cable (basically cutting out a router or anything). I'm trying to copy files between a new laptop and an old computer and I didn't know if it was possible, or how to do it. Thanks. __________________ I got in a fight one time with a really big guy, and he said, "I'm going to mop the floor with your face." I said, "You'll be sorry." He said, "Oh, yeah? Why?" I said, "Well, you won't be able to get into the corners very well." Emo Philips

08-11-2005, 01:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Firewire/1394 yes, USB no. The problem to work around is that USB is a single master bus. One system would have to control all activity. It could be done with a polling driver but I haven't seen it. Anyone else? Might be easier to install the new laptop drive as a slave on the old system. If you're not that adventurous, pick up a couple ethernet adapters. PCI 10/100Mb cards are about $5. USB 10/100Mb adapters maybe $25. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

08-11-2005, 07:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gatorade Frost Rookie	With the Cat5 cables, I'd just have to plug a cable into both computers and it'll show up or do I have to do anything networking related? __________________ I got in a fight one time with a really big guy, and he said, "I'm going to mop the floor with your face." I said, "You'll be sorry." He said, "Oh, yeah? Why?" I said, "Well, you won't be able to get into the corners very well." Emo Philips

08-12-2005, 03:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	It's early in the morning but there's probably a simplier way of doing this Control Panel->Network Connection->Local Area Network(Or whatever it is called on your computer, there should be only 1 anyways) Click on Properties Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -Don't uncheck it, just select it Click on Properties Click on "Use the folliwing IP address" option Enter the ip address and then ok Connect the 2 computer using the crossover cable. Restart the machine __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

08-13-2005, 10:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
Wingless Psycho Location: Metro Detroit, Mich, USA	Thank you Mr. Feelgood! __________________ Tommy Nibs is a funny word. So here I am, above palm trees, so straight and tall... You are, smaller getting smaller, but I still see... you. Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor

08-11-2005, 01:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	Apparently, there IS a USB crossover cable: http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm Scroll about halfway down the page. An ethernet hub is not that expensive and could be used for the same thing ...

08-11-2005, 01:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	You may need one other piece of hardware. http://windowsnetworking.com/article...s/usbmain.html

08-11-2005, 03:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	USB enclosures FTW. Another nice thing is a USB/IDE adapter, and a wall outlet / 4-pin molex adapter. Great for repairing harddrives or extracting data and fun stuff.

08-11-2005, 03:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Do both machines have ethernet? If so, a simple cat-5 crossover cable is what you want to use.

08-11-2005, 09:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	And most importantly, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CROSS-OVER CABLE.

08-11-2005, 10:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Marvelous Marv Cunning Runt Location: Taking a mulligan	A few months ago, I bought one of those USB cables I saw in the picture. It came with software, but it never worked right. The software would cause crashes.

08-13-2005, 10:27 AM	#15 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	I have one such cable (Compaq) similar to this one: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/priority...sb20sulid.html Install software before you hook it up to PCs. Works quite well.