Connecting two computers

[DrFaroohk]

My networking skills are a bit lacking, and I need a bit of help. I'm not even sure what I want to do is possible.

I have two computers, both connected to the internet through a router. I want to know if its possible to send files from computer A to Computer B, just directly, not over e-mail or yousendit or anything.

The hitch might be that one computer is Windows 7, and the older one is still on Windows 2000.

Any help for this or am I up shit creek? Should I just break down and get a little flash drive to transfer my stuff?

[Andara Bledin]

Windows is a network ready OS, and if I recall correctly, you can go into network services and set up your home network without any real difficulty.

We have a similar set up at my home.

If you need more technical assistance, you'll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable to come around.

^-.-^

[Der Cute]

Windows 7 is cool - it's got something built in.

Windows 7 has something called Windows Easy File Transfer. Use that, it will walk you thru the file transfers...but your medium? Should be the USB stick.

Cross over ethernet cables are not common in my experience (but they're the kind you'd use here).

Networking w/ W2K and 7? clunky....

So, use the Windows Easy File Transfer and a USB stick..
Think of the 2K pc as the OLD and the Windows 7 as the NEW (but you know that...but some wouldn't).

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

Windows Easy Transfer is more of a thing for setting up a brand new computer, and getting all your data from the old one to the new one.

Personally, I'd just go buy the flash drive, and copy the files manually if you don't want to bother with a network.

Although, I would try the network before you go buy a flash drive. Might learn something in the process, and it's free.

[TheSHAD0W]

If both computers are operating through the same router, you're already set up hardware-wise.

On both computers, run Start/Control Panel/Network Setup Wizard. You'll need to choose the same domain for both machines. You should then be able to find one from the other in Network Neighborhood.

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

On both computers, run Start/Control Panel/Network Setup Wizard. You'll need to choose the same domain for both machines. You should then be able to find one from the other in Network Neighborhood.

Small nitpick here.

Domain is only for corporate networks (where you have a domain controller managing user stuff). If it's just a home or small business network without a DC, use the workgroup option

[Eric the Grey]

Small nitpick here.

Domain is only for corporate networks (where you have a domain controller managing user stuff). If it's just a home or small business network without a DC, use the workgroup option

By default in Windows 7 (actually Vista as well) the "workgroup" is MSHome. I'd suggest leaving that in 7 and changing it to match on the 2k machine. Cuts the work in half.

Also, you'll want to share a folder on each machine. I usually set up a Temp folder at the root of my C drive and share it.

1. Right-click and choose properties.
2. Click the Sharing tab.
3. Click Share this folder.
4. Give it a simple name.
5. Under Permissions allow everyone full access (that allows you to put files there from another computer).

This is basic, and may be different in both Win 7 and 2K (I'm sitting in front of an XP machine) but you should be able to find the controls for both machines in the same places.


Eric the Grey

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

Also, if you go to the W2K machine and hit Windows key + pause/break, it will bring up system properties. you can change the workgroup in the computer name tab (requires a reboot, though).

[Der Cute]

D'oh!

I thought the whole time the guy was trying to move files off an old machine (dying) to the new one for single pc use.

/hangs head

Cutenoob

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

Heh. It's a bit too easy to assume when you're dealing with a machine that old :P

[Andara Bledin]

Heh. It's a bit too easy to assume when you're dealing with a machine that old :P

I don't know how old his 2k machine is, but I put 2k on my new-ish system only a couple of years back. Only switched to XP a year ago.

^-.-^

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

Windows 2000 was actually a pretty nice OS, considering the *other* modern choice.

Windows 7 is still my favorite, followed up by XP and shortly by 2000

[lordlundar]

Also, you'll want to share a folder on each machine. I usually set up a Temp folder at the root of my C drive and share it...

As an additional note, if/when you do this, for security sake, disconnect any internet connection before hand. The file and print sharing options on Windows machines is relatively insecure.

[DrFaroohk]

D'oh!

I thought the whole time the guy was trying to move files off an old machine (dying) to the new one for single pc use.

/hangs head

Cutenoob

Actually that's what I AM trying to do. A lot of it is stuff like pics and videos we've made over the years, some other media that I have stored on the older Win2K computer (I think it was made back in 2003 or so?). But the win2k computer is slowly dying, bit by bit every day, and I wanted to save the irreplacible stuff. So I want it on the Win7 machine.

I just sucked it up and bought a usb stick. It works well enough.

[Der Cute]

Actually that's what I AM trying to do. A lot of it is stuff like pics and videos we've made over the years, some other media that I have stored on the older Win2K computer (I think it was made back in 2003 or so?). But the win2k computer is slowly dying, bit by bit every day, and I wanted to save the irreplacible stuff. So I want it on the Win7 machine.

I just sucked it up and bought a usb stick. It works well enough.

Well, if you use Windows Easy File Transfer, it's very very easy. Have you tried that or are you just hand picking stuff?

Cutenoob