Direct connection via serial port between two laptops?

[RupTheKid]

Hey all,

I know certain versions of Windows support direct computer to computer connections via Serial Port, but I don't know which versions. Also, I don't know which operating system versions are cross-compatible for a direct serial port connections and which ones aren't. If anyone can please explain this to me, or send a link with some sort of chart, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Rup

 

[Lord Evermore]

Any version since Win95 I believe supports it. Direct Cable Connection is what it's called. Use Windows Help to search for that name and you'll get instructions on how to do it. Serial connection requires a null-modem cable. You can also do it with a parallel cable, which would be much faster, although it takes an uncommon type of cable that can connect to the computer port on both ends (since common cables are designed to connect to a computer on one end and a printer's Centronics connection on the other).

Search Google as well, there's plenty of information available.

 

[RupTheKid]

Thanks for the heads up - very much appreciated.

Rup

 

[BigDog1]

I tried to do direct cable connects at various times over the years with little (actually zero) success. From reading the web I found many other folks had the same problems. That, plus a serial connection being very slow compared to a LAN, would make me look to a LAN method to connect the two machines. You can pick up 100/10 network cards for less than $10 each, and the only other thing you need is a simple $5 cat-5 cross-over cable. Just plug the X-over cable between the two machines, set up your network, and you can move data at high speed between the machines and also share a printer. Win98SE and newer even include modem sharing software with their network support, so you can have two people browsing at the same time on different sites over a modem.

There are lots of good sites out there with info on Peer-to-Peer networking -- do a google search.

For just moving files, if your PCs have USB ports, you can get a $15 USB memory card reader and a CF or SmartMedia memory card, and use that card like a removable drive. I have a 256meg CF card for my camera, and I often use it to move files from one PC to another.

BigDog1