the simplest network?

Ghoulish Delight · 12-28-2008, 11:29 AM

It is possible, but it's not entirely straight forward.

You'll have to manually set an IP address for each computer, which is easy to do. But you'll also need a special kind of ethernet cable called a "crossover cable". They're cheap and available at any decent computer supply store.

ETA: Oh yeah, BtD's right, crossover cables are sometimes referred to as data transfer cables. But don't waste your money on any sort of data transfer software, just get the cable and do it manually.

Snowflake · 12-29-2008, 09:20 AM

Okay, this is great and useful info. Thanks BtD and GD.

Nowwwwwwwwwwwww, another question. I want to use my old monitor (17 in flat panel) as the primary display. I've hooked it up via a Kensington dock and I the monitor shows the desktop wallpaper, but nothing else. No icons, nada. For the record, running XP SP3 on the laptop and the device manager shows the monitor hooked to the dock but nothing else.

I'm wondering if the second cable that came with the monitor is different than the one that is plugged in now, of if there is a setting I need to use on the laptop? The troubleshooter has only confused me.

12-28-2008, 11:29 AM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	It is possible, but it's not entirely straight forward. You'll have to manually set an IP address for each computer, which is easy to do. But you'll also need a special kind of ethernet cable called a "crossover cable". They're cheap and available at any decent computer supply store. ETA: Oh yeah, BtD's right, crossover cables are sometimes referred to as data transfer cables. But don't waste your money on any sort of data transfer software, just get the cable and do it manually. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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12-29-2008, 09:20 AM	#2
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Okay, this is great and useful info. Thanks BtD and GD. Nowwwwwwwwwwwww, another question. I want to use my old monitor (17 in flat panel) as the primary display. I've hooked it up via a Kensington dock and I the monitor shows the desktop wallpaper, but nothing else. No icons, nada. For the record, running XP SP3 on the laptop and the device manager shows the monitor hooked to the dock but nothing else. I'm wondering if the second cable that came with the monitor is different than the one that is plugged in now, of if there is a setting I need to use on the laptop? The troubleshooter has only confused me. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes