network PCs without a hub

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GSL

Can I network two PCs running XP(pro) without using a hub?
I believe W98 used to do it using a printer port. I need
to copy some files between PCs and have been moving the
hard drives around but need a better solution.
 
"GSL" said:
Can I network two PCs running XP(pro) without using a hub?
I believe W98 used to do it using a printer port. I need
to copy some files between PCs and have been moving the
hard drives around but need a better solution.
Click to expand...

I think you're referring to "Direct Cable Connection" using a special
data transfer cable between the printer ports of two computers. XP
has that capability, as does W98. Details here:

DirectParallel® and Direct Cable Connection (DCC) Step-by-Step SETUP
http://www.lpt.com/Support/DCC-SetUp/dcc-setup.htm

If both computers have Ethernet adapters, you can connect them with a
crossover Ethernet cable. That's much easier to set up than DCC, and
it transfers data much faster.
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Can I network two PCs running XP(pro) without using a hub?
I believe W98 used to do it using a printer port. I need
to copy some files between PCs and have been moving the
hard drives around but need a better solution.
Click to expand...

Like Alvin said a crossover cable would be ideal. I will be a little
more specific. Each system needs an ethernet network card. Then get a
crossover cable and run the network setup wizard on each machine. A
normal ethernet cable will not work it needs to be a crossover cable.

You can use the network setup wizard to setup a direct cable connection
via the printer port. However ethernet networking is about a bazillion
times faster. Well maybe not a bazillion. Also it will allow you to
share printers and your internet connection. And network hardware prices
are so cheap now that there really is no reason not to.

PCI ethernet cards run about $5-10 and the crossover cable is cheap if
you get it online somewhere, I recommend eBay. You local computer store
is likely to charge a fortune for this. Best Buy charges something like
$25 for 10 feet. While on eBay you can get 50-100 feet for that price
including shipping.

If your computers are in different rooms and you don't want to stretch
cables around the house then you might want to go wireless. But of
course that's not the cheapest way to go, and it's slower than wired
connections.
 
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