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usb connection for two computers

13 years ago

I have an xp machine about 10 years old and an Compaq Presareo about 16 months old. Can I connect these computers by a usb cable. If so how would the connection be recognized? Would software be required? Or is it not possible? This seems to be the simplest way to do it.

John W

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Comments (7)

kudzu9
13 years ago
What are you trying to accomplish?
Pooh Bear
13 years ago
You need a special type of USB cable to do this.
If you use a regular USB to USB cable you will short out
one or both of the ports, or do more serious damage.
I have never done this but I have researched it some.
Google "USB to USB networking" and find lots of info.

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: More info
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you can not use a plain usb cable you have to have a special cable that is used just for that. Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings USB 2.0 File Transfer Cable - USB Data Link File Transfer Cable Looks like that, just google for "file transfer cable" You do not want to hook up one pc to another with a regular usb cable! NOT good. YOu can also just get a usb flash drive and move you stuff from your pc on to the flash drive and then plug that into the other pc and transfer it over, they are great for that and cheap. Or get an external CD drive that can be plugged in to any pc and use it to burn cd, or a usb external hard drive, which is a great thing to have anyway so you can keep our files backed up to it. I have one of those cables but never much liked it, I prefer to use a thumb flash drive or a usb hard drive that is the way to go. I just saw a 4 gig Kingston flash drive on www.buy.com for around $10 with free shipping. be sure anytime you connect anything to your pc through a usb port that you always click on the safely disconnect hardware icon in the try by the clock and select to disconnect the item and wait till it tells you it is safe. Here is a link that might be useful: flash drives
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cboy
13 years ago
john4291
If your wanting to use one monitor - one keyboard -
one mouse and 2 computers than you can do what I did.
I use a kvm switch. It's simple to hook up.
On 2 occasions I've had the mouse and keyboard not recognized.It was easy to fix. I just had to turn of the pc and unplug the power for about 2 minutes. With power back on everything was working.
Mine has 2 ports (2 computers) costs around $30.00
My kvm switch connects Windows XP and Windows 7
mikie_gw
13 years ago
If both on the same modem, which most are router.. enable networking.
john4291
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone. I felt like that it was a dangerous thing to do. I appreciate all the info. I want to transfer data from one computer to the other. I do have a router that worksw with both computers. D-Link in the xp. I will try that and look at the links and suggestions,
John W
mike_kaiser_gw
13 years ago
USB was never designed for networking and while it can be used that way it's not an elegant solution. If you have a router, you're best bet is simply to create a local network.

You could also just use a flash drive. 4GB is well under $10 and 8 GB under $15.
john4291
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Mike, I have decided that I better go snother way. I do have a router.

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