Transferring files

[s0ccergoof]

Just this week I got my new computer up and running, and now I am lookign to transfer some files from my laptop to my new box. I am looking for a cheap and easy way to do this, but I need some help. I know one way would be to go ahead and buy the hub/router that I will need for my apartment at school this year, but a friend told me that if I bought an ethernet cable and switched two of the wires I could just run that between the computers. I would rather use this option as I would rather not pony up the money for the hub right now, does anyone know of a site with instructions on how to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[blargyblarg]

you need a crossover cable, you can just buy one or make one if you want:

http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/dyi_crossover.htm

 

[alanwj]

Go buy yourself a couple of cheap network cards (you can get a card for your desktop for ~$10 - $15, and a PCMCIA network card for you laptop for about $20 - $30).

Then buy/make a "crossover" cable. This allows you to directly connect the two computers without a hub/switch/router/subspace rift/etc. Crossover cables shouldn't cost you any more than a normal CAT5 patch cable, and if you have a pair of crimpers, RJ-45 plugs, and some spare CAT5, you can make one yourself in about 10 mins (a Google search should bring up plenty of sites telling you what color wires to put where to accomplish this).

Alan