ARCHIVED: In Windows, how do I use Direct Cable Connection to connect two computers?

You can use Direct Cable Connection in Windows 2000 and XP:

• Windows must be installed on each computer. However, you are not restricted to using the same version of Windows on both computers. (For example, you could connect a Windows 2000 computer to a Windows XP computer.)
  
  
• Direct Cable Connection must be installed on both computers.
  
  
• You must have a bi-directional serial or parallel port cable, or a null modem cable.

Follow the appropriate directions below to make the cable connection:

Windows XP

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Network Connections.

   Note: If this doesn't match what you see, refer to About navigation settings in Windows.

2. Under "Network Tasks", choose Create a new connection, and then click Next.
   
   
3. Select Setup an advanced connection. Click Next.
   
   
4. Select Connect directly to another computer. Click Next.
   
   
5. One of the two computers has to be set up as the Host and the other as the Guest. The Host is the computer that has the files or resources that you want to transfer, and the Guest is the computer to which you will transfer the files or resources. Choose which role this computer will play in the transfer, Host or Guest, and then click Next.
   
   
6. If this computer will be a Host, select which port and cable you want to use for this connection; the Wizard phrases this by asking you to choose the "Device". Choose the proper one; for example, if you're using a parallel cable for the connection, choose Direct Parallel (LPT1).

   If this computer will be a Guest, you will see a page that prompts you to type the Name of the ISP. You need to type a name for this connection, such as the name of the Host computer. You may select any name you want. Do not worry about what Internet service provider the Host computer uses for general Internet use, because for the purposes of Direct Cable Connection, the Host computer is the ISP for the Guest computer.

   Click Next.

7. If this computer will be a Host, you will select the users who can use this connection. If this computer will be a Guest, you will choose whether other users can use this connection, or if it should be restricted to just you. Make your selection, and then click Next.
   
   
8. If this computer is a Guest, you have the opportunity to check a box that will place a shortcut for the connection on the desktop. If this computer is a Host, that option is not available. In both cases, this is the last page. Click Finish.

Windows 2000

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
   
   
3. The Network Connection Wizard will start. Click Next.
   
   
4. Select Connect directly to another computer, and then click Next.
   
   
5. One of the two computers has to be set up as the Host and the other as the Guest. The Host is the computer that has the files or resources that you want to transfer, and the Guest is the computer to which you will transfer the files or resources. If this computer will be the Host, then select Host here. Otherwise, select Guest.
   
   
6. Select which port and cable you want to use for this connection; the Wizard phrases this by asking you to choose the "Device". Choose the proper one; for example, if you're using a parallel cable for the connection, choose Direct Parallel (LPT1), and then click Next.
   
   
7. If you're setting this computer up as the Host, you will now specify which users can connect to the computer. You may select any of the ones listed, or you may click Add to create a new one. If you are setting this computer up as the Guest, you will now specify whether all users can use this connection, or if it is reserved for only yourself. Select one and click Next.
   
   
8. Enter a name for the connection, and then click Finish.

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