how to share directly on a LAN

[weston]

Hello

I have to reformat my computer and want to save some files on my friends hard drive. I linked our computers together via Cat 5, and got the connection all set up. However, I dont know how to do the transfer. I have all the files stored in one folder on my desktop, so it should be easy right? Can someone tell me what to do or at least point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance
Weston

[DreamCaster]

Can you give us a little more info on your setup there weston? What operating systems are you dealing with?
Are they the same?
Are your systems connected directly or through a hub/router/switch?
If they're direct to one another, are you using a cross-connect cable?

Theoretically, if you've got communication setup there correctly, you should be able to go into network neighborhood and find the computer you're trying to connect to listed there (providing you've allowed access for sharing on that system).

[weston]

Both systems are running XP. It is a direct connection, using a cat 5 cable. I dont know what cross connect cable means. Im pretty sure connection is proper, as our computers recognoze the connection. I just dont know where I should from here for the transfers.

[DreamCaster]

Cross-connect cables allow for two computers to "see" one another without the use of a router/hub/switch. I haven't tested whether or not 2 XP machines can communicate directly using a regular Cat-5 cable. Edit: I just came across this post and apparently you will need this crossover cable or a hub to properly connect them to one another:
Clickety-click

Anyhow, if you go into "My Computer" you should see an option on the left for "My Network Places". Click it then click on "View workgroup computers". You should be able to see the other system in there provided both are in the same "workgroup". To check this you can right-click the My Computer Icon and go into "properties" then click on the "Computer Name" tab. The Workgroup name will be listed in there.

If you need to setup sharing, you can open "My Computer" and navigate to a folder that you want to share for your file transfer. Right-Click on it and select "sharing and security". From there you can allow access to it from other systems.

Hope this helps

~Peace
DC

[weston]

hey thanks for the walkthrough! its exactly what i needed. However, when trying to acces the file from my friends computer with the Cat 5 unplugged, it says that the file is not accessible, you might not have permission to use this network resource. please contact the administrator to find out if ou have permission. the network path was not found.

How do I make it so the files are his as well as mine? I have to get this straightened out to reformat. Thanks in advance!!

[DreamCaster]

Ok, first off, you need to get a crossover patch cable in order to make this work. If the cable is unplugged you will not be able to communicate between pc's. Here's a link to what I'm referring to from Circuit City: Click-Me

I'm sure you can find this at Best Buy, Staples, CompUSA etc... as well.

Once that problem is solved, the easiest way to go about transferring is to probably make a new folder (directory) on the pc you want to transfer your files to. Right cllick it and go into the properties then sharing and security to allow access to it. Then go into My network places (in My Computer) on the system you want to transfer the files from to locate it. If the sharing has been setup, then you should first see the other computer listed in there and when you click on it the folder that you've allowed access to should be visible at this point.

[weston]

ok, after looking at that photo and specs for the crossover cable, I now realize thats exactly what I have.
I was able to get the file from my computer to show up on my friends computer screen, and then moved it to his desktop. My problem is that I can only access the file on his computer when it's still linked to mine. This is a big concern because my OS is going to be gone soon, so Im worried I will have saved stuff on his computer that I cant access and send back to my reformatted computer.

Hep mah!!

[DreamCaster]

Hmm, that sounds like you've created a link to the file on your friends system rather than transfer the actual file and it wants to look to the original location when you try to open it. What happens when you right-click the file and look at it's properties? Does it have an original location listed in there that refers to your pc? I'd try another transfer of the file, but this time if your dragging and dropping it, use your right mouse button to click and drag rather than the left one. this will bring up choices when you drag it and ask you what you want to do with it. Try copying it there and see if that helps. Unfortunately I don't have two xp machines here atm to test this out

Keep us posted

[weston]

yes, it has a name that refers to my computer and doesnt mention his hard drive or anything. I will try the other method of transfer ASAP.

[weston]

Well, I tried the right click drag but no options came up for it. I have gone in my network settings and made sure that others have the ability to access and change my files. I dunno what the hell is wrong, but there is no way I can just ditch this stuff.

This file that Im trying to share has program files in it as well. I think that may be part of the problem. My friend recently told me that you cannot share programs like this. So Im going to remove the prog files from the computer and see if it will allow me to access the folder then. I dont see why having them in there would prevent me from accessing the general folder, which also containg Pdf's, Word files, and songs. But I will give it a try. If this doesn't work, expect me back in a day or so.

[fluffyfluff]

Recently when I reformatted my two pc's, a friend came over took the hard drive out of this one put in the other one, went into BIOs on that pc and told it to recognize it. We transfered easily all the files I wanted to keep onto its drive,it took only about 10-15 minutes to transfer about 10g of files. Took it back out popped it back in this one and reformatted. Then reversed the process, in order to reformat the other box. He called it 'jumping drives'

I personally would not be able to do this on my own, and have no earthly idea what my friend told it to do in BIOs (even though I watched in wonder and awe), but it worked and maybe one of the fellers around here knows what exactly the process is.

[Pasty901]

Rite lets look at this simply...answer me these?

1. Can you see your pc when you navigate through Workgroup blah blah blah (explained a little better by DC ) on your friends pc?
2. If so can you see the folder you want to share?
3. Can you see the files inside this folder?

If you can see all this highlight every single file in the folder and do Edit --> Copy, find somewhere on your friends pc to save them then do Edit --> Paste.

Also make sure your not running any software firewalls - eg Norton/Zone Alarm

[weston]

I just wanted everyone to know the problem has been resolved. I was trying to open the files from the original shared folder, instead of copying them to his desktop. So to honor this momentous oversight, from now on my screen name will be Mr. Durp.

[DreamCaster]

We're just glad you got it sorted out there