my desktop is about to die on me soon, and i'm going to be buying a notebook in the next week or so.

how can i transfer files from my desktop to laptop?

i don't have a router or network at home, and since i live by myself, i'm not planning on setting one up.

i also would prefer not to copy files onto cd-r's or copy files on a flash drive since it'll take so long.

is there a usb cable i can use to connect one computer to another to transfer files?

or are there some type of ethernet cable i can use to connect the two computers?

 

use your Jedi mind tricks

 

Look for a cross over cable (ethernet)....

 

I've never gotten that to work. Is there any special trick?

 

If you don't want to spend money on them, you can just alter a cat-5 into a cross-over.

 

Assign each PC a static IP address (use 192.1.1.10 for one and 192.1.1.11 for the other).

 

The tools and ends would cost more then one cable....

 

It might not work if you have a work laptop, and are on a domain.

 

then transfer the other way via a shared drive....

 

jedi mind trick as noted above.

you need to setup a static ip config on each computer. you can find out how by searching google. this sounds about right: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-623...sageID=1667935


if both are running windows (and at least one is XP), xp has a built in network wizard where it asks you what type of network you are setting up...etc, then it will configure that computer, and give you a disk to take to the another computer and run with will configure that computer.

 

thanks!

so crossover cable > usb cable?

 

If both PC's have USB 2.0, I would go USB.

 

darnit. the current desktop doesn't.

 

usb male-male $$ > cross-over cable $$

 

Ease of USB wins over cross-over, but don't bother with USB 1.1

 

cross over cable is the easiest....just right click on my computer and make sure they are both part of workgroup...name it workgroup....restart computers....bam....open network places and view workgroup computers...then cut and paste...YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

 

 

Actually, you probably don't even have to set static IPs... If you wait a few minutes, both computers will timeout waiting for an IP and will assign itself a random IP in the 169.254.x.x subnet... (Crossover Cable method).

Another route might be to get an empty USB External Hard Drive case. Probably cost $30 tops.

Remove the Hard Drive from your old computer and put it in the case. Plug in the power, and plug it into the USB port of the new computer. Voila! New Hard Drive Detected!

If the old computer is dying, you might as well salvage the HD and use it to backup your new computer on a regular basis.

 

APIPA only works on XP....

 

well, looks like i waited too late.

the computer died last friday. went and bought a notebook on saturday.

i also got a mad dog hdd enclosure so i can put my desktop hd in there.

now, this is where it gets a bit weird. sorry, if i sound naive...

the desktop hd was running xp pro and was partitioned into 2 drives.

when i put the desktop hd in the enclosure and connect it to the notebook, it recognizes the two partitioned drives (we'll call it drives F and G).

Drive F previously ran xp and is formatted fat32. Drive G did not run windows.

The notebook reads both F and G, but it only opens G. So i was able to transfer the files from G to the notebook, but I can't open F.

Any solutions?..

Help?...

 

What is the error when opening F?

 

doh! sorry i didn't mention that.

i don't remember the exact message.

it says something like the "drive cannot be opened" and i need to format.

i dunno if this makes a difference, but the notebook's C drive is NTSF and the F drive is FAT32. but if i format, i'll lose all my files...

 

Nah, it's easy to convert a network cable to a cross over cable.
Cut the cable in half, strip the wires, and connect appropriately.
Only trick is knowing which ones to wire together.

It won't be pretty, but it works.

 

NTFS can read FAT (16 and 32)...If you get that then it may be a problem on the partition. If you reformat, you will loose the data. How are you connecting this HDD enclosure (USB?) Try to connect it to another PC and hope for better.

 

1) Crimper
2) Cable ends
3) Lots of spare cable

 

yea it's being connected via usb.

thanks for the help.

 

ok...the exact error message is:

The disk in drive F is not formatted.

Do you want to format it now?

Does that make any sense?

 

You don't need any of that if you just want a simple cross over cable.

See:
http://www.contact-directconnect.com/Pin_outs.htm

If you use a regular network cable, you can use the existing ends of the cable.
All you have to do is cut open a middle section of the cable,
find the 4 wires which need to be swapped. Cut them, reconnect & swap the ends, and you're done.

 

Did you try a USB to IDE cable?

http://www.usbgeek.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=0190

 

Wrong....APIPA works on all "most" of Windows EXCEPT Windows NT..

Crossover cable between machines, wait, APIPA assigns addresses to each, IPCONFIG gives IP, ping (to make sure there's a connection) then on the PC you want to transfer the data to go

Start--> Run , in the window type \\169.254.x.x\C$ (this would be the IP of the PC you want the data from)

But, sounds like the PC is already toast. Try the USB to IDE connector. Or you can put the drive in another computer and see if recovery console will at least get it to boot, then try to slave it in another PC.

 

well i tried connecting the hd enclosure to my girlfriend's laptop, and it won't open drive F either.

a coworker also mentioned that something may be wrong with the partition, which is what whiskers said.

the thing about the usb to ide cable is that my computer already recognizes the extra hd. it's just not opening it because it's saying it needs to be formatted.

 

If the stuff was really important, find a QUALITY data recovery (read: NOT Geek Squad) service in your area. If you are in Arizona, or want to ship the HDD FedEx to me, I can give you a deal. Let me know.

Just saw your location in your avatar. Find the number for a place in Houston called TLSI. Cant remember the URL, but google it and data recovery. Great guys, and local for you.

Found it: TLSI

They are in Grand Prairie..

 

i got it to work!

i googled the error message and came across some other message boards where others were having the same problem.

a program called Partition Table Doctor was mentioned several times by those who had this error fixed.

so i downloaded it and paid $39, and with a click of a button, it's good now!!!!!

i preferred not to pay, but that particular drive had all my pictures of family and friends that i didn't want to lose. so i think it was worth it.

thanks everyone for all your help!

and everyone, please, backup your files!