What is the fastest way to transfer files between two PCs

[Intelman07]

I transfer files between my PCs a lot, but sometimes over the network it just isn't quick enough (a lot are wireless). I've tried cross over cables between the two PCs, and of course Windows says limited or no connectivity, but sometimes the files do transfer over that link regardless and it is quite fast, just not reliable for it only works sometimes. I've eyed that Belkin Easy transfer cable, but it looks as it that doesn't do what I want. Lately i've been using an old wired router and plugging both the pcs into it to transfer files, but that isn't too convenient.

What suggestions do you have for this? Would a simple firewire link between the two pcs work?

 

[JackMDS]

I do not know what is the nature of you Networking adventures.

Crossover cable between two computers should provide stable 8 to 10MB/sec. transfer.

 

[Intelman07]

Lately it is for transferring dvd rips for my Zune. I just got a Dell Inspiron 1520, and the Core 2 Duo is faster at encoding videos than my AMD Opteron 170. Plus my desktop has more storage space for media.

As for using a cross over, how do you using it? I just plug it in and browse to my other computer using Windows File Sharing \\. Do I need to statically assign an ip for each computer?

 

[JackMDS]

If the computer are on a Cable/DSL Router and both can use the Internet you do not have to connect any thing else, just configure the File Sharing.

Otherwise use Crossover and configure each one with a static IP, and configure he sharing.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/techn...evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/techn...ntain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

When the Sharing is configured you can map the drives.

http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html#map

 

[secretanchitman]

firewire or 100/gigabit ethernet could be your best bet.

or if your computers are desktops, just rip one hd out and put it in the other comp and the transfer rates will be blazing fast.

 

[Intelman07]

They are connected to the router, but as I said before the 802.11g connection can take hours sometimes. I suppose I could just switch to "N", since my router is already N and my laptop has the Intel N card. Thanks for the suggestions though, I think i'll try the static ip w/ crossover again.

 

[Madwand1]

Your desktop has gigabit NICs, and gigabit NICs generally support auto-crossover. So you could try a regular cable between the two computers. AFAIK, it has 2 different gigabit implementations, so if one port doesn't work well, you should try the other.

It'd be better if you had a gigabit NIC on your laptop in addition, and better still if you had a gigabit switch on or in front of your router to connect the two to the network instead of going through a separate cable using static IPs.