How do I link laptop to desktop to suck info

[Brett]

I need to take files from a desktop into my laptop.
I need to know how it is done with USB to USB, parallel to parallel, parellel to USB with Win 95/98/2000. I don't have access to CD-RW and need to go to customer and transfer files from their desktop to my laptop, then transport laptop to customer's remote desktop and download. The files are greater then 50Meg so impracticle to backup on floppies.

I would appreciate any help at all. Thanks

[bassman]

A zip drive comes to mind as they can hold 100mgb, but that involves a cost you my not want to put out right now. The other way is to use "Direct cable connection" in "Start>Programs>Accessories>Communications". You only need to buy a parrallel cabel long enough to reach between the two machines.
There are also online storage facilities that you can use for free, but you have the time of upload and download.
If you are interested in that then someone can post a link to a reliable resource.

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If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried

[Brett]

Thanks for info Bassman. The server's single parrellel port is for LPT1 and I don't want to disturb this. However the desktop has 2 USB sockets in back. When I ask at Start/programs/accessories/communications/direct cable connection it doesn't have USB ports as choices, and can't find them when "Install new ports" selected. Can USB ports be used to link desktop to laptop? And why doesn't the desktop see the USB ports?

[bassvax]

Not sure of a USB solution other than a portable drive (Zip, CDRW or HD). If this is gonna be your work field it may be worth the investment into a portable device. The DCC can be done with either parallel or serial (but both are rather slow). If both systems have NICs I'd suggest setting up a network. You could make your own crossover CAT 5 or buy one. If that is too much trouble and you got access to a decent connection (internet) I'd go with bassman's suggestion of finding a server to upload and download...I think you can find free ones of up to a gig.

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Jerry

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 03-13-2001).]

[bassman]

As for the LPT1 port, that is the one you use. You can connect multipul devices to that port. If you follow instuctions on DCC it tells you to use LPT1. Some parallel devices have a passthru plug setup where you can daisy chain devices. Do not do this when transsfering by DCC. Parallel will be faster than serial and I'm pretty sure faster then upload and download.
The NIC would be a good setup as well. And like Bassvax said " If this is your work field, invest in a good portable device."
I use a 100mg Zip USB and it sets up real easy. I move it all over my house some days (4 machines).
Let us know how it goes

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If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried

[GROGSTER]

Hi!

I would not suggest using DCC, as it is quite possibly the most picky file-exchange protocol ever written.
It is a PAIN to setup, very rarely is able to see the other computer, and is typically Microsoft, in that it is a pig to configure.
DCC tries to align itself with the other computer, and seeing as it usually gets the port addresses wrong when it thinks that the other computer should be at address X and it isn't, then the program just refuses to talk.

I suggest renaming the file in question to a simple 8dot3 MS-DOS filename, and copy the file to the root directory, or to a folder made in Windows that has no more then eight letters as a name.
This will allow DOS to see the folder easily, and makes your job of finding the file in DOS easy.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO FIND THE FILE IN DOS?

There are several programs available for free that work under DOS for file transfers via the parallel-port.
"PDQ(Pass Data Quickly)" is a good one, and is really easy to drive.
"FASTLYNX" is another good program for DOS, but I prefer PDQ.
It requires you to build a basic parrallel-port data cable, but this is really not difficult so long as you can do basic soldering.

If interested, please e-mail me: <rixon@es.co.nz>, and I will zap you a copy of these programs. PDQ is about 100k.
Can't remember the size of FastLynx, but it is quite small also.

PDQ averages 120k/second via parallel-port.


G.

[bassman]

Interesting info Grogster. I had not heard this technique before. As for the "Build a parallel data cable". What configuration would you have to build. I know you can buy a cable with 2 male ends.
Also how do you send from one comp to the other in DOS.
Thanks

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If a book about Failures doesn't sell, is it a success?

[GROGSTER]

Hi!

Basically, the cable you use is the same as the LapLink cable that early DOS machines used to communicate between two computers using the printer-port.

There are a couple of discrete differences, though, and a standard data-transfer cable WILL NOT WORK with PDQ...

The cable is easy to build.

The SOURCE computer and DESTINATION computer both run identical copies of PDQ, each one having been told that it is to be either sending files to a destination(the HOST or SOURCE computer with the files you want on it), or receiving files from a source.
PDQ is cute, cos it searches for a reliable parallel-port address in sorta the same way as a network card can "Ping" another computer.
Once a stable port address is found, both computers talk to each other briefly in order to finalize the connection.
This bit is done by PDQ, and you have no input to this PC-to-PC talking.
Then it's simply a matter of selecting the file or directory to copy and leaving both computers to it.
PDQ is a fast, FULL SCREEN file copying program, with nice easy to use features.
You can test the parallel connection too, and PDQ will report back with the various options tested, and the results.

It works very well under DOS, because PDQ has complete control of the computer(unlike under Windows, which tries to do things in the background), and it knows where to look for a parallel connection.
Seeing as it has exclusive control of the computer, then nothing else can get in the way while it is running...

The BIOS of any machine will tell PDQ about what type(s) of parallel port(s) the computer has, and at what address they are located.(with the possible exception of ADDITIONAL parallel-port cards, that the BIOS will NOT know about... - but even the oldest PC's have at least ONE printer port.)
PDQ then pings the other computer with some test data.
The othe computer, provided it is running another copy of PDQ, will respond to this special test data when the source computer passes by the right address. The destination computer will ping the source computer with the same test data, when it receives the test data ping from the source.

The souce computer then registeres that the destination computer has acknowledged the test data, and a connection is established between the two computers via the first address that both computers were first able to talk on.

Confused???
;-)

This method means that all YOU have to do to exhange files, is to crank up PDQ on both machines, connect the parallel-port data cable between the two computers, and tell PDQ to search for an exchange address.
That done, data exchange can then begin.


G.

[Brett]

To Grogster.

Fabulous, lucid, response. You should take up writing in PC mags. You have the knack of making easy things easier, and not more difficult like some other writers. Thank you very much. (Not that I don't appreciate all others who contributed)

Thanks PC guide. What a great site!