Lap-Top back-up to second lap-top
Jan 8, 2006 | 7:43 am
#1
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Lap-Top back-up to second lap-top
I'm away from my office and need to copy the "My Documents" (about 4GB) folder on my lap-top to another lap-top and wondered if there was an easy way to do this over a direct network cable between the two.
Both lap-tops are running XP Home Edition and both have standard network sockets. I don't have any fixed network infrastructure like hubs or routers but do have a X-over network cable.
I'm not 100% familiar with networking and / or changing the network settings so am a bit reluctant just to blindly connect the two together and try a few settings.
Can this process be done fairly easily or do I have to go through setting each lap-top with an IP address?
Both lap-tops are running XP Home Edition and both have standard network sockets. I don't have any fixed network infrastructure like hubs or routers but do have a X-over network cable.
I'm not 100% familiar with networking and / or changing the network settings so am a bit reluctant just to blindly connect the two together and try a few settings.
Can this process be done fairly easily or do I have to go through setting each lap-top with an IP address?
Jan 8, 2006 | 7:48 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston
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Hi BOH (is your username anything to do with the airport?)
You have several options...
To connect the two computers using just the network ports, you'll need a special type of cable called a "Crossover" cable. You can get these from Maplin or PC World (UK) and I'm guessing Circuit City or similar in the US. A normal network cable won't work.
Otherwise, you can beg/borrow/steal a hub or a router from a friend. These are small boxes that you plug the computers into using normal network cables.
Other options are to buy a USB link cable (same shops as above) or try to link wirelessly using wireless networking or bluetooth.
Once you've linked the computers together (assuming you're using windows), click on start, then help, and search for "Home Networking Wizard". That will guide you through the process of sharing the data.
Good luck!
You have several options...
To connect the two computers using just the network ports, you'll need a special type of cable called a "Crossover" cable. You can get these from Maplin or PC World (UK) and I'm guessing Circuit City or similar in the US. A normal network cable won't work.
Otherwise, you can beg/borrow/steal a hub or a router from a friend. These are small boxes that you plug the computers into using normal network cables.
Other options are to buy a USB link cable (same shops as above) or try to link wirelessly using wireless networking or bluetooth.
Once you've linked the computers together (assuming you're using windows), click on start, then help, and search for "Home Networking Wizard". That will guide you through the process of sharing the data.
Good luck!
Jan 8, 2006 | 8:33 am
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Originally Posted by cb9002
Hi BOH (is your username anything to do with the airport?)
You have several options...
To connect the two computers using just the network ports, you'll need a special type of cable called a "Crossover" cable. You can get these from Maplin or PC World (UK) and I'm guessing Circuit City or similar in the US. A normal network cable won't work.
Otherwise, you can beg/borrow/steal a hub or a router from a friend. These are small boxes that you plug the computers into using normal network cables.
Other options are to buy a USB link cable (same shops as above) or try to link wirelessly using wireless networking or bluetooth.
Once you've linked the computers together (assuming you're using windows), click on start, then help, and search for "Home Networking Wizard". That will guide you through the process of sharing the data.
Good luck!
You have several options...
To connect the two computers using just the network ports, you'll need a special type of cable called a "Crossover" cable. You can get these from Maplin or PC World (UK) and I'm guessing Circuit City or similar in the US. A normal network cable won't work.
Otherwise, you can beg/borrow/steal a hub or a router from a friend. These are small boxes that you plug the computers into using normal network cables.
Other options are to buy a USB link cable (same shops as above) or try to link wirelessly using wireless networking or bluetooth.
Once you've linked the computers together (assuming you're using windows), click on start, then help, and search for "Home Networking Wizard". That will guide you through the process of sharing the data.
Good luck!
I live about 5 miles from BOH airport, hence my username.
Jan 8, 2006 | 9:57 am
#4
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Originally Posted by BOH
Thanks - as I originally mentioned I already have the X-over cable and both PC's are running XP Home Edition. Is it really as simple as just following the "Help" instructions - any risk of data loss with the wrong settings etc?
Jan 8, 2006 | 2:34 pm
#5
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If both computers have 1GB network adapters, as my IBM T42 does, you don't need a cross-over cable as the adapters are automatically sensing.
But networking is not as simple as inserting the cables between the two comptuters, and you will need some kind of synchronizing software (Microsoft has a free one for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en).
There is a wizard in XP that will help you set-up the network, but it sounds like the easiest way for you to do this is with an external USB hard drive, particularly since that will also give you a back-up device.
But networking is not as simple as inserting the cables between the two comptuters, and you will need some kind of synchronizing software (Microsoft has a free one for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en).
There is a wizard in XP that will help you set-up the network, but it sounds like the easiest way for you to do this is with an external USB hard drive, particularly since that will also give you a back-up device.
Last edited by Always Flyin; Jan 8, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Jan 8, 2006 | 4:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by Always Flyin
If both computers have 1GB network adapters, as my IBM T42 does, you don't need a cross-over cable as the adapters are automatically sensing.
But networking is not as simple as inserting the cables between the two comptuters, and you will need some kind of synchronizing software (Microsoft has a free one for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en).
But networking is not as simple as inserting the cables between the two comptuters, and you will need some kind of synchronizing software (Microsoft has a free one for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en).
Jan 8, 2006 | 6:19 pm
#7
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Can you get online with both laptops? If you can, go to foldershare.com, set up a free account, and set the mydocuments folders to synch on both machines.
Walk away and let it do it's thing.
I have been using foldershare's free version for over a year and I've never had an issue with it. From when it's set up, every time you change a file, add a file, or delete a file in the my documents folder (or whatever you are sharing), the same changes will be made to the other machine as soon as it's online.
I share between three machines, I can work on something on a laptop, and when I get home or in the office the changes are all there, as long as the laptop got online for a bit.
The first 4 GB will take a while, but after that it's pretty much instant every time there is a change.
Walk away and let it do it's thing.
I have been using foldershare's free version for over a year and I've never had an issue with it. From when it's set up, every time you change a file, add a file, or delete a file in the my documents folder (or whatever you are sharing), the same changes will be made to the other machine as soon as it's online.
I share between three machines, I can work on something on a laptop, and when I get home or in the office the changes are all there, as long as the laptop got online for a bit.
The first 4 GB will take a while, but after that it's pretty much instant every time there is a change.
Jan 8, 2006 | 10:38 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by BOH
Thanks - as I originally mentioned I already have the X-over cable and both PC's are running XP Home Edition. Is it really as simple as just following the "Help" instructions - any risk of data loss with the wrong settings etc?
I live about 5 miles from BOH airport, hence my username.
I live about 5 miles from BOH airport, hence my username.
From there you'll need to assign each adapter a static IP address, say 10.2.1.0 and 10.2.1.1 in the same subnet
Share a folder on the machine you're copying from and move all the stuff over.
Don't guess the copy from machine has a DVD or CD burner does it?
Jan 9, 2006 | 12:13 am
#9
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Originally Posted by windwalker
Use the crossover cable, regardless of how fast your network adapter(s) may be you'll still need a cross over cable
Jan 9, 2006 | 10:13 am
#10
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Originally Posted by Always Flyin
Sorry, that just isn't so. I presume you are not familiar with auto-sensing network adapters.
if the user is not using Hub/switch/router(as he posted) he WILL need a crossover cable
Ethernet Crossover Cables
| Reference | A crossover cable directly connects two network devices of the same type to each other over Ethernet. Crossover cables are useful for temporary networking of two computers when a network router, switch or hub is not available or not functioning. Networking students and anyone else who deals with wired networks should become familiar with this kind of cable.
| Reference | A crossover cable directly connects two network devices of the same type to each other over Ethernet. Crossover cables are useful for temporary networking of two computers when a network router, switch or hub is not available or not functioning. Networking students and anyone else who deals with wired networks should become familiar with this kind of cable.
Auto Sensing=
NWay is a telecommunications protocol used with Ethernet networking devices (such as router and switch) to automatically negotiate the highest possible common transmission speed between two devices. The NWay protocol (also known as auto-negotiation or auto-sensing) was developed by National Semiconductor in 1994 in response to the networking industry's need for a mechanism to handle the connections between devices with varying connection speeds.
In an Ethernet network, a device may have the capability to operate at different speeds. NWay currently supports at least the following technologies:10BASE-T, 10BASE-T duplex, 100BASE-T, 100BASE-TX Full Duplex, and 100BASE-T4. Expanded support capability is likely in the near future.
When a connection to a network device (known as the link partner) has been established, the NWay protocol determines what modes that device uses, sends information about its own capabilities, and automatically configures the highest common performance mode. NWay works by taking control of the cable connected to a network device and operating like a rotary switch (an electromechanical device with a rotating shaft at one terminal that makes or breaks connections with other terminals) to change to the best mode possible, and passing control of the cable to the appropriate technology.
The benefits of NWay technology include:
* Efficient connections at the highest possible performance levels without any need for user intervention
* Protection of network integrity, because if the devices involved lack a common technology, NWay will not make the connection, thus protecting users from the potentially serious problems that can be caused by a connection that a hub cannot recognize or accept
* backward compatible
* An architecture that supports flexibility and extensibility.
In an Ethernet network, a device may have the capability to operate at different speeds. NWay currently supports at least the following technologies:10BASE-T, 10BASE-T duplex, 100BASE-T, 100BASE-TX Full Duplex, and 100BASE-T4. Expanded support capability is likely in the near future.
When a connection to a network device (known as the link partner) has been established, the NWay protocol determines what modes that device uses, sends information about its own capabilities, and automatically configures the highest common performance mode. NWay works by taking control of the cable connected to a network device and operating like a rotary switch (an electromechanical device with a rotating shaft at one terminal that makes or breaks connections with other terminals) to change to the best mode possible, and passing control of the cable to the appropriate technology.
The benefits of NWay technology include:
* Efficient connections at the highest possible performance levels without any need for user intervention
* Protection of network integrity, because if the devices involved lack a common technology, NWay will not make the connection, thus protecting users from the potentially serious problems that can be caused by a connection that a hub cannot recognize or accept
* backward compatible
* An architecture that supports flexibility and extensibility.
Jan 9, 2006 | 12:02 pm
#11
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I can assure you that I can directly connect my IBM T42 and IBM X40, both of which have 1GB Intel NICs, without a hub/router/switch and either with a cross-over cable or not. Works both ways.
Jan 9, 2006 | 12:10 pm
#12
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E.g.:
http://www.csc.shoremicro.com/html/faq.htm
http://www.csc.shoremicro.com/html/faq.htm
for Gigabit Ethernet, all cross-over functions are negotiated between the endpoints and crossover cables are not required for proper operation.
Jan 9, 2006 | 5:09 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 436
This all depends on which Ethernet chipset the laptops use. Some gigabit chipsets have auto-MDI/MDIX selection, some don't. Even some 10/100 chipsets have it. So the answer to whether or not you would need a crossover cable boils down to "it depends."
Jan 9, 2006 | 7:22 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by windwalker
Use the crossover cable, regardless of how fast your network adapter(s) may be you'll still need a cross over cable
From there you'll need to assign each adapter a static IP address, say 10.2.1.0 and 10.2.1.1 in the same subnet
Share a folder on the machine you're copying from and move all the stuff over.
Don't guess the copy from machine has a DVD or CD burner does it?
From there you'll need to assign each adapter a static IP address, say 10.2.1.0 and 10.2.1.1 in the same subnet
Share a folder on the machine you're copying from and move all the stuff over.
Don't guess the copy from machine has a DVD or CD burner does it?
Jan 9, 2006 | 9:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by Loren Pechtel
It depends on the cards. I wasn't aware of autosensing cards but about 4 hours ago I took a network wire an unplugged it from a machine, stuck it in a switch and ran another wire from the switch to the machine. The switch had no uplink ports. I did *NOT*, however use any crossover cables--the switch figured out the backwards cable and worked with it fine.
Most new switches, hubs, and even laptops are autosensing these days. I always carry both kinds of cables in case I need them.