Best way to physically connect 2 desktops?

joemardo1

Hi,

getting a new desktop soon and want to hook up to old desktop. What is the best way to do this without going wireless. Old computer has an ethernet card. I understand that I just cant connect convential usb cable as it might do damage, but that there is a special usb cable that I can use.

Any ideas appreciated?

Thanks
Joe

debitcardmayhem

If you have a broadband router with ethernet ports - solved
If not a small ehternet switch- Misco have several from 9.99 upwards if both the pcs has Gigabit Ethernet then expect a bit more

scottishblondie

A simple crossover ethernet cable will do the job.

bazster

joemardo1 wrote: »

Hi,

getting a new desktop soon and want to hook up to old desktop. What is the best way to do this without going wireless. Old computer has an ethernet card. I understand that I just cant connect convential usb cable as it might do damage, but that there is a special usb cable that I can use.

Any ideas appreciated?

Thanks
Joe

I tried one of those USB cables years ago, it was rubbish.

As advised above, if your broadband router doesn't have ethernet sockets, buy a cheap ethernet switch.

totalsolutions

USB absolutely no, High currents can flow and there is no connectivity available to you that way.

Ethernet or Cat5 cable or RG54 is the only way. Connect just two PC's together then a crossover cat5 cable is all you need.
Bring in the Internet and you need a router, fortunately two or more computers start to work together now sharing files and printers and the WWW.

JasX

what do you want them to do with each other once 'connected together' will it be a long term thing?

AndyPandyPoos

totalsolutions wrote: »

USB absolutely no, High currents can flow and there is no connectivity available to you that way.

Ethernet or Cat5 cable or RG54 is the only way. Connect just two PC's together then a crossover cat5 cable is all you need.
Bring in the Internet and you need a router, fortunately two or more computers start to work together now sharing files and printers and the WWW.

Not strictly true, you can purchase USB transfer cables, but prob best avoided as they have limitations.

Just plugging in a crossover cable wont get you very far without a DHCP server dishing out IP's, in which case you'll have to manually assign an IP to both machines.
No router needed for internet as your host pc (or in your case, your newer pc, can run ICS.)

Can I ask reason for reconnecting the old desktop? Is it purely to retrieve old data from it, or use as a 2nd internet pc etc?

joemardo1

Thanks for replies. Well I want to be able to access the hard disks on the old computer.

1 Is it possible to get them to show up on my computer on the new desktop?

2 my router is a netgear dg83 and my present desktop is connected to it with a yellow cable. If at all possible I intend to have the new computer on the same desk

Taking all of the above into consideration what is the easiest way to connect them.

Thanks very much
Joe

totalsolutions

To access the the HD just pull them out and connect to new desktop. No jumpers to move either. Why, because your new PC will have sata drives and hopefully you will have an unused pata socket on the motherboard, using the old drive and its ribbon cable is all you need to go.
Sorry but AndyPanyPoos is just confusing the issue here as you have requested the easiest way to connect again.

1) Pull out the drive - satisfies all requirements at no cost
2) Ethernet patch / crossover cable and manual IP setup
3) Ethernet patch cable to hub,switch or router using DHCP setup (auto)
4) USB cable. One-off use, slow and unreliable running ICS - NO don't go there.

Just hook up to the netgear with another "yellow" cable, or red or blue or grey...

JasX

If you just want to access the drives I'd strongly suggest just connecting the drives to the new machine.

unless its a very slimline desktop there'll be plenty of space inside so opening the case and permanently installing them in a spare internal slots would be the ideal. -v simple job, worst case you might need a £2 odd 5.25" to 3.5" drive bay converter bracket from ebay....

alternatively you could get a hard disk enclosure (about £12, takes 1 drive, requires mains power) and connect that way but not all are the same and whereas some (most) will work straight from the word go some have been known to want to format (wipe) the drive before working....