the simplest network?

Snowflake · 12-28-2008, 11:21 AM

Is it possible for me to simply connect my old PC with my laptop via an ethernet cable? I want to transfer some data, that's it, nothing spiffy, nothing complicated. Is that the best and easiest way?

BarTopDancer · 12-28-2008, 11:25 AM

They make data transfer cables. We have this at work, but I've never actually used it.

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.

€uroMeinke · 12-29-2008, 10:06 AM

Sounds like you are set up for two monitors - if you dragged your mouse off-screen on your laptop you'd see the cursor appear in the other monitor. I believe you can fix this in your display settings - just set up for the one monitor you want to use.

Betty · 12-29-2008, 10:27 AM

On many laptops, you can switch between display modes by hitting Fuction and F4. (It's a different F key on some laptops.)

You'll toggle between having the display on one monitor, the other, then both.

Cadaverous Pallor · 12-29-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betty

On many laptops, you can switch between display modes by hitting Fuction and F4. (It's a different F key on some laptops.)

You'll toggle between having the display on one monitor, the other, then both.

On our laptop, it's F8, and the key says "CRT/LCD" on it.

Snowflake · 12-29-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

On our laptop, it's F8, and the key says "CRT/LCD" on it.

Oh duh! Thanks everyone! I will try this once I get home.

Ghoulish Delight · 12-29-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Oh duh! Thanks everyone! I will try this once I get home.

It may not say "CRT/LCD", it may just have a little square icon or something on yours.

€uroMeinke · 12-29-2008, 05:36 PM

the fact that you see the wall paper and nothing else makes me think you are in duel screen mode instead of toggled to the wrong screen, but report back and let us know.

12-28-2008, 11:21 AM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	the simplest network? Is it possible for me to simply connect my old PC with my laptop via an ethernet cable? I want to transfer some data, that's it, nothing spiffy, nothing complicated. Is that the best and easiest way? __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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12-28-2008, 11:25 AM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	They make data transfer cables. We have this at work, but I've never actually used it. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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12-28-2008, 11:29 AM	#3
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	#4
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

12-29-2008, 10:06 AM	#5
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	Sounds like you are set up for two monitors - if you dragged your mouse off-screen on your laptop you'd see the cursor appear in the other monitor. I believe you can fix this in your display settings - just set up for the one monitor you want to use. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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12-29-2008, 10:27 AM	#6
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	On many laptops, you can switch between display modes by hitting Fuction and F4. (It's a different F key on some laptops.) You'll toggle between having the display on one monitor, the other, then both. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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12-29-2008, 05:36 PM	#10
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	the fact that you see the wall paper and nothing else makes me think you are in duel screen mode instead of toggled to the wrong screen, but report back and let us know. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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