Two connected computers, one with XP and one with Vista.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank Martin
  • Start date Start date
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Frank Martin

My present computer has WindowsXPpro, and I want to build a
new separate computer as a backup but with the Vista
operating system.

Is this feasible, because I want to connect the two with a
LAN cable.

Frank
 
Frank Martin said:
My present computer has WindowsXPpro, and I want to build a new separate
computer as a backup but with the Vista operating system.

Is this feasible, because I want to connect the two with a LAN cable.

Frank
Click to expand...

Not a problem at all. If your connecting one directly to the other make
sure you use a crossover cable.
 
Jerry said:
Not a problem at all. If your connecting one directly to
the other make sure you use a crossover cable.
Click to expand...


Thanks, but what is a crossover cable. Is it the same as a
LAN blue one?
 
Frank said:
Thanks, but what is a crossover cable. Is it the same as a
LAN blue one?
Click to expand...

The crossover cable I have here, has a blue plastic cover on
one end, and a red cover on the other. (The color is not
important, as much as noting the colors are dissimilar.)
I notice most of the cables for sale now, don't have
that distinctive feature.

The wiring crosses over, so the TX pair goes to RX on the
other computer. And the RX pair goes to the TX on the other
computer. 10/100BT uses only four wires of the eight. (That is
why 4,5,7,8 still go straight thru. Only 1,2,3,6 are involved
in the cross. And 1,2,3,6 are used for 10/100BT Ethernet.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossover_cable

A straight-thru cable, would have identical insulation colors
on either end of the cable. Such a cable would be used to
connect a computer to a router box (at least, that is
what I'm using to do that at the moment).

If one computer has a gigabit (GbE) interface on it, those
have the MDI/MDIX feature. You don't need to use a
crossover cable in that case, as the gigabit interface
will negotiate and automatically wire things up right
for you. So a crossover isn't always necessary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mdix

Paul
 
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