Date sent:              Tue, 23 Mar 1999 23:07:39 -0600
Send reply to:          PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
                <[log in to unmask]>
From:                   Dan Shaughnessy <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:                Re: [PCBUILD] Easiest/cheapest PC to PC connection
To:                     [log in to unmask]

Hi Dan,

What is the best way to transfer data from a Win 3.11 machine to a Win98
machine?

Thanks for your time and good luck in your work,

Richard D.Smith


> > Back in the old DOS days, I used to hook up a serial cable between two
> > computers (even MAC and PC) to transfer files using a simple terminal
> > communications program.  It was a little slow but it worked fine.  It
> > worked just as if I was sending a file to a friend using a modem -
> > except that the setup did not use any modem locally.
> >
> > So why cannot that still be done with windows OS's?  Every OS has
> > Hyperlink (a simple terminal program).  Most PCs today can handle
> > transfer rates of close to 115Kbps through their comm ports.  So if both
> > PCs are hooked together with a simple serial cable, isn't that the
> > cheapest way to transfer large amounts of data?
> >
>
> While it certainly may be possible, it's really not necessary.  Win9X
> includes a program, "Direct Cable Connection" that performs exactly this
> function.  It certainly is the cheapest way to connect to Win9X machines.
> While, perhaps not as easy as programs such as Laplink, the cost can't be
> beat and it is fairly simple, provided you follow the instructions found
> in Windows online help facility. Basically--connect both PC's with a
> Parallel or Serial Cable, setup PC-A as Host and PC-B as Guest.  - You
> must have File and Printer sharing enabled on each PC, and the resources
> (files, folders or disks) you want to copy must be marked "shared".
> Additionally, I believe you need to install the IPX network protocol to
> handle the transfer.  I have used DCC several times without many
> headaches, but strongly recommend following the Windows Help instructions
> to make sure both PC's are set up correctly.
>
> Dan Shaughnessy
>
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