With apologies if I have asked this in a wrong forum.

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I want to transfer files (including a lot of Poser stuff) between my desktop and my laptop, as a safety backup. Both are PC's with Windows 98. If I go to Control Panel -: System -: Device manager -: Network adapter and click the little + symbol, both show three devices under the heading "Network adapter":- laptop:- - Dial-Up Adapter - Intel(R) PRO/100+Mini PCI - SMC IrCC (Infrared Communications Controller) desktop:- - Alcatel SpeedTouch USB ADL PPP - Dial-Up Adapter - Genius LAN GF100L XRIII Series Fast Ethernet Adapter Do both have network cards, as fra as can be seen from this list? Both have two female BJ45 type sockets. On the laptop both are free. On the desktop one has my fast BTOpenworld internet link on it and the other has my Hewlett Packard printer/copier/scanner on it. Could I transfer files merely by linking one of these sockets in each computer and switching them on? Or what should I do? If it depends on what versions of Windows 98 I have, how can I find which versions I have merely by looking in the files on the computers? Would I damage any existing settings by temporarily unplugging one of these connections on my desktop?

P.S> I hve bought a 10-foot-long cable with a male BJ45 connection at both ends.

You need to have what's known as a Crossover cable to connect the two machines if you don't have an Ethernet hub, switch or router.

You won't need to change any adaptor settings, but you'll need to turn on sharing for the directory(s) on one machine and then map it on the other (do this while off the internet).

Once you've transfered the files, remember to turn off sharing before reconnecting to the internet.

I expect you'll have questions so feel free to IM me.

I'm not computer savvy so I went to Comp USA and asked them the simpliest way and they sold me a USB Link Cable for $20...Each end plugs into each USB port....it comes with a little software called PC-Linq...just install to both computers then whenever you want to move files between them, plug the cable into each USB. Open PC-Linq program on both computers, then drag and drop from either computer...it's real easy...I do it all the time..:>)

back in the day there was a program called Laplink, that came with a crossover cable, and a simple program..I've still got it (it's probably older than some of the posters here..early 80's..;).
If those are RJ45 connections (in the US, 6 little gold strips instead of the RJ12's 4), that's usually an ethernet connection (or a digital phone..but not likely). The trick is to get a network connection, if you have 98, I think you can set up what's called a peer-to-peer network (there's 2 version of 98..SR1 and 2..2 fixed bugs in SR1)
If you set up a peer network, you can share drives across it, and transfer with ease..even share the printer, if you like.
granted, the person above me has the simpler solution, but the possibility is there. From what you describe, the equipment is there..you get a faster transfer rate (10 or 100mbps, depending on the card and drivers), but USB still transfers in the Megabit rate. Good luck- I have a burner in each computer, so I tend to use that..another option, if you have one..good luck.

here I use 3 network cards (1 for Cable Modem, 1 for local network and 1 in the laptop) the chain goes > LocalNet to Hub to Laptop File and printer sharing installed on the desktop and the laptop, with selected folders shared between them (and the bonus of the laptop being able to browse the net as well :) )

Laplink 5 for DOS sitting on my shelf. :) I remember transferring the entire contents of my 486 to the spiffy new P100 ($6000 for the CPU!!!!!). It took all night to copy about 4000 files and then proudly announced its achievement. (I really do like DOS.) Hmmm... my Poser 4 folder on the Mac has almost 54,000 items. Those were simpler days. :sigh: Carolly

Thanks. P.S. I hve bought a 10-foot-long cable with a male BJ45 connection at both ends. Sorry, mistype: it is RJ45. if you have 98, I think you can set up what's called a peer-to-peer network On the desktop I would have to unplug the printer temporarily to free a socket. After connecting the desktop and the laptop, would I have to restart them? Or what should I do? there's 2 version of 98..SR1 and 2..2 fixed bugs in SR1 How can I found which version I have, merely by looking at files in my computers?

Y'know, I've been wondering this very thing myself! I've got a laptop and two desktops in the house, all use Windows XP, and I've got different files on each that I need to move around. I asked one of the "gurus" at the campus and they gave me a twenty minute lecture on home networking and stuff, but never actually answered my question. So..here goes...all I actually need is this cable, the RJ45 double-male, and I should, theoreticaly, be able to "see" both computers and move files back and forth with a few mouse clicks? Do I need to go into Network, name both computers, then looke for the other one when I make the cable connection? Please, if I've missed a step somewhere, let me know. I'm geting a little desperate on some of this stuff. Thanks!!

Per nruddock's post, if you hook them directly, the cable will have to ba a "cross-over." (in "regular" cables, the pins are one-for-one. In a crossover, transmit and receive pairs are switched.) Just a suggestion: Wireless networking has gotten really inexpensive. The freedom to sit anywhere in your home, or even close by outside with your laptop is schweet!

Attached Link: Tiger Direct Networking

Why not think about establishing your own network? We recently bought a great wireless network for under $100. "Wired networks" can be found as well.

It IS a crossover cable. Or at least the packet is so labeled. PLEASE :: After I connect up the two computers, what should I do to make the connection come active?

Please, how can I find which version of Windows 98 I have, merely by looking at files in my computers?

Once you have the two computers connected you need to do the following :-
Disconnect from the internet.
On the desktop computer, right click on the directory (which can be a drive root) you want to transfer files from, select Sharing, select Share this folder, click OK.
On the laptop, open Windows Explorer and select Tools | Map Network Drive, then locate you the share you created on the desktop machine, and click OK.
You should now see a new drive on your laptop and you can begin to transfer files.

When finished transfering on the laptop right click on the network drive and select Disconnect.
On the Desktop, right click on the shared directory, select Sharing, select Do not share and click OK.

Make sure you have disabled all shares before reconnecting to the internet.

Quick checks to make if nothing shows up are

1. Do both network cards have their connection lights on ?
2. Try pinging one machine from the other:
   Open a Command window and type

ping OtherMachineName

If you have a virus checker / software firewall installed you may need to change tweak settings so that it allows this type of connection (and only for the network card you use to connect to the laptop).

nruddock, you've made the complex fairly simple..we could use you for the setup teams at work..;) (Just had someone Thursday connect a T to a coax wall plate, and send 2 cables out, with terminators at each end..folks, don't try that at home, or at work, either..;) I must confess I've got a wireless hub and a wireless PCI card gathering dust on the desk here (I'm about to move..again..waiting for that). Got them for $50 US each, so that's a good way to go. (would prefer to use the onboard cat-5 connect, but the Missus is insistent..;) At your local Wally world (wal-mart), or such..also a great way to share internet access..though I've heard stories of Poser pinging networks looking for dupe copies..not real up on that..

The cat-5 (assuming 100M fdx) would be good when you wanted to transfer serious amounts of data (backups and such) but the wireless is fine for internet and print sharing. And one less cable to trip over.

And this relates to Poser... how? Oh, right, the screen shot shows a render from Poser... not. So much for Renderosity's mods enforcing the "stick to the forum topic" rules. How do you transfer files? Simply share the folders over your own, internal network. Wait, you have Windows 98? Geez, people, give it up already. Bite the bullet and dump your 6 year old software! At least upgrade to Windows 2000.