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
- From the
Startmenu, selectSettings, thenNetwork Connections.Note: If this doesn't match what you see, refer to About navigation settings in Windows.
- Under "Network Tasks", choose
Create a new connection, and then clickNext.
- Select
Setup an advanced connection. ClickNext.
- Select
Connect directly to another computer. ClickNext.
- 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,
HostorGuest, and then clickNext.
- 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. - 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.
- 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
- From the
Startmenu, selectSettings, thenControl Panel.
- Double-click
Network and Dial-up Connections.
- The Network Connection Wizard will start. Click
Next.
- Select
Connect directly to another computer, and then clickNext.
- 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
Hosthere. Otherwise, selectGuest.
- 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 clickNext.
- 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
Addto 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 clickNext.
- Enter a name for the connection, and then click
Finish.
Last modified on November 07, 2008.







