Connecting Two Computers with a Direct Connection | Running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

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Direct connections provide a simple way to connect two computers so that you can transfer files from one computer to the other. You don't need any network adapters or modems, and if your computers have infrared ports, you don't even need a cable! You can create a direct connection between the two computers' serial ports, parallel ports, or infrared ports. (You must use the same port type on each computer.)

Selecting a Cable

Direct connection supports the following kinds of cables:

Null-modem serial cables

Basic four-bit parallel cables, including LapLink and Interlnk cables

DirectParallel cables for Extended Capabilities Port (ECP)

Universal Fast parallel cables

ECP cables provide faster performance than any of the other alternatives, but they require an ECP-enabled parallel port on both computers. A good source for parallel cables is Parallel Technologies, which you reach on the Internet at www.lpt.com or by phone at (800) 789-4784 (outside the United States, call 1-425-869-1119).

Setting Up a Direct Connection

When two machines are hooked together via direct connection, one acts as host and the other acts as guest. The guest computer can access any folders shared by the host, but the host can't access shared folders on the guest.

NOTE
To create or modify the host side of a direct connection, you must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group.

NOTE
You must have certain networking components installed and enabled for direct connections to work properly. On both the host and guest systems, you need to have Client For Microsoft Networks and a protocol (the same one on both systems). In addition, on the host system, you must have the File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks service. For information about installing network components, see "Configuring a Network Connection."

You should set up a direct connection first on the host computer and then on the guest computer. To set up the host computer:

If you're going to use a serial or parallel port, connect the cable between the two computers. If you're going to use an infrared port, be sure the infrared transceivers can "see" each other.

Open Make New Connection in your Network And Dial-Up Connections folder.

On the Network Connection Wizard's first page, click Next.

Select Connect Directly To Another Computer, and then click Next.

Select Host and click Next.

Select the port you plan to use, and then click Next.

Windows lists all unused serial, parallel, and infrared ports.

Select which users will be allowed to connect to this computer, and then click Next.

Click Finish.

SEE ALSO
For more information about Incoming Connections, see "Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer."

If an Incoming Connections icon doesn't already exist in the Network And Dial-Up Connections folder, Windows creates one. With this icon, you set properties not only for incoming direct connections (that is, ones where your computer is the host), but also for incoming dial-up and VPN connections.

To set up the guest computer, the procedure is generally the same. The main difference is that you must specify Guest in step 5.

Once you've set up both computers, you can begin transferring files right away. To use the connection again later, simply open the connection on the guest computer.

TIP
Be sure to share any host computer folders that contain files you want to copy to the guest computer. For information about sharing folders, see "Sharing Folders with Other Users."