Need EASY way to hook up two computers

[Moohooya]

I'm looking for the EASIEST way to hook up two computers. One is running XP and the other ME. My parents own these computers and even dragging and dropping requires them to make a long distance phone call and have me walk it through for them.

Is there a USB cable that they can plug into their computers that will allow them to share files and printers?

If not, what is the next simpliest solution? One is a laptop, and the other a desktop but they won't open it up to install a card.

Thanks all,

Moohoo

 

[rw120555]

Several options:

1. Buy 2 HPNA USB adapters direct from Netgear for about $70 total. The desktop is connected to the hpna card all the time, the laptop you connect as needed. Both hpna cards need to be plugged into a phone line (or you can just run a phone cord between them, you don't have to have a live phone line).

2. Get wireless cards for both machines, set up a peer to peer network.

See AN Networking FAQs for more ideas.

Also, is internet sharing an issue here, do they have dsl or cable, and how important is cost? Do the machines already have ethernet NICs in them? If you give a few more details we can refine the advice.

EDIT: Though a little more complicated and expensive, wireless may be the most satisfactory in the long run given that a laptop is involved. Whatever you get, the WinXP networking wizard may help, but don't be surprised if you at least have to help with the initial setup.

 

[JackMDS]

Get a USB Direct Connect Module (this is a USB cable that has a special Network module installed on it).

Connect the two computers through the USB; install the Drivers, and your are Connected. The connection supports only the speed of USB (this will cost about $40-$50).

Example:

6FT USB FILE TRANSFER AND NETWORKING CABLE.

This type of connection is restricted by the Max distance allowed for USB. If the two computers, are in two different rooms you will have to resort to other solution.


Important, do not connect two computers with regular USB cable, such a connection may result in frying your computer?s Motherboard.

 

[rw120555]

Another thing to consider is whether "easy" includes convenience. Any kind of direct cabling solution will require that the laptop be moved close to the desktop whenever the network is to be used. If they don't mind that, then fine, but they may find that the inconvenience isn't worth it. Wireless provides high convenience. HPNA is somewhat less convenient but still gives you a lot of flexibility on placement of the laptop.

But, if "easiest" just means whatever will get you the least phone calls, then direct cable may be best.

 

[Moohooya]

Some great ideas. Thanks.

Neither machine have an NIC, only serial, parallel & usb. They are located in the same room 10 feet away from each other on the same long desk. I love the idea of the 6' USB network cable, but is there anything that is twice that length or is that too long for usb?

Thanks again for the ideas

 

[JackMDS]

10? is not a problem. You can extend the device?s range by buying a regular 6? USB extension cable, and extent one side of the connection. CompUSA, and the like stock USB extension cables.

 

[Woodie]

If they're local to me, I could probably take an hour and set them up. I'm in CT, so maybe they're local??

For a nominal fee (free meal? or munchies? or beer?) I'm sure some ATer has got to be close enough to deliver the cable, connect it, and configure it, and then spend 10 minutes showing them how to use it.

 

[Moohooya]

JackMDS,

Just talked to them, and they now claim that 12 feet is not long enough. How long can I go? If I get a 10' extension, with the 6' net cable I'll end up with 16 feet. Is this still OK?

Woodie

Thanks for your kind offer. UK I'm afraid, so no, I won't pay for your flight Great idea though. When I decide on what to do, I might see if I can hunt someone down. We need a world wide map of all ATers showing who, where, how active etc. Would be great for parties and things like this. (Maybe such a thing exists and I'm just oblivious to it!)

Thanks both of you,
Moohoo

 

[rw120555]

Everything USB lists several USB networking devices -- most of which aren't what you want. But, the Actiontec sounds like it might do what you want, and it has a 20 foot USB cable.

EDIT: According to this page, the maximum length of a USB 2.0 cable is 5 meters, or about 16 feet. But, it also says "However, if you cascade 5 hubs with 5m USB cables, this will allow you to connect a device 30m away." So if you buy a hub or two and the appropriate cables, you can extend your range quite a bit.

 

[Moohooya]

Cool site. Let me go do some research...
Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

I have a similar module as describe in my pervious post. I use it for temp Network transfer when a computer has no NIC, I can not install one.

I have 6? USB extension on side, one on each side (total with the USB Module 18?). It is probably on the border of the Spec. but it is working OK.

If the computer?s USB out is loaded with other USB devices, it is better to install a USB Hub with independent Voltage supply.

 

[rw120555]

Just keep in mind that you could buy two hpna cards and a 25 foot phone cord (or however long you need) and accomplish pretty much the same thing, without the need for usb hubs and extension cards or worrying that your cables are 6 inches short. Plus, you'd have far more flexibility in the placement of machines, especially that laptop. You probably have a few conveniently located phone jacks around, but if not you can always just get really really long phone cords (you don't even need to plug into a live phone line, you can just connect the adapters directly). When you visit, get an hpna card for your laptop and you can connect too. Personally, I really like having mobility with my laptop, and if you don't want to mess with wireless then hpna is probably the next best thing.

The one thing I can't comment on is the ease of setup and use; EverythingUsb didn't seem to have a review on the particular gizmo Jack recommended but similar devices appeared to have some problems. But, once you survive getting your parents through the initial setup you'd be dealing with a fairly established technology and major companies, so you might have a better shot if any problems did develop in the future. HPNA is already networking for the masses, and if these USB setups were far easier I imagine we'd hear more about them than we do.

Anyway, good luck. I sympathize with you -- our inlaws got a computer for Xmas and our 11 year old has pretty much despaired of ever being able to teach them how to use it

 

[Moohooya]

Thanks for all the great ideas.

I think I'm going to end up with an old fashioned lap-link (serial) cable. I know you can do this from 95 to NT 4.0, so I assume ME to XP is fine, anyone done this?

The reasons I decided to do it this way are:

1) No hardware to install.
2) No flakey drives to install
3) No expensive cards/hubs/cables to buy

just one small cheap cable.

The speeds won't be great, but I'll still be able to get 13K a second with parity.

For those interested, http://www.kime.net/directcc/index.html do an excelent job at explaining how to do it for NT and 95.