Transferring files between computers

googler

So... you have them connected via both a crossover cable and via a router?

The two PCs directly connected with the crossover, and each connecting either via ethernet or wireless to the router?

Have you run the 'Network Setup Wizard' on both machines? Do both machines have the same network/workgroup name?

Could you summarise in sequence what you've tried to do thus far, so that we don't repeat what you've tried already....?

rmg1

In some semblance of order, I've tried connecting them together via the router and via the cross-over cable.
I haven't tried using both at the same time (cross-over cable and router together).

It seems that no matter what I try, one machine won't see the other.

System

rmg1... If you connect both computers to the router using standard ethernet patch cables, then boot up the two computers, the router will assign an IP address to each computer. (the router has a DHCP server to do this)

The following assumes that both computers are configured as standard and are in a workgroup called "WORKGROUP"
To check the workgroup:
START - Right click on "Computer" - Properties

To check how each computer's network has been configured try the following on each computer:

START {Start search} - Enter cmd in the search box.

A Command prompt window should open.
In the Command prompt window type:
ipconfig/all

It will display the network configuration for the computer.

Similar to this:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\ComputerA>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MyVistaComputerName
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) 82562V-2 10/100 Network Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-11-11-11-11
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1dc6:7d28:92b6:4119%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 23 May 2011 08:27:36
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 24 May 2011 08:27:36
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 234888905
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-10-11-11-11-00-11-11-11-11-11
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.250
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Look at the settings and make a note of the following :
Host Name
IPv4 Address


Now, on computerA type the following in the Command prompt window:

ping HostNameOfComputerB

{But replace HostNameOfComputerB with the text you noted for "Host Name" on your 2nd computer}

If the computer gives an error ...could not find host... then the computer domain names are not available, so you could try the IP address instead. Try:

ping 192.168.1.n
but replace 192.168.1.n with the IP address of your 2nd computer

If that works, repeat the above from the other computer too.

That will confirm if the two computers can communicate.

If the IP address method works, then you can use the IP address to map a drive.

On your 1st computer:

START - Computer
In the Computer window...

Expand the C: folder to show the "My Documents" folder you want to copy from.
Right click on the folder and select "Share..."
Setup sharing on the relevant folder(s)
Make a note of YourShareName

Now on your 2nd computer:

START - Computer
In the Computer window...

Click on "Map network drive" from the menu.

Now, in the "Folder" box, type:

\\192.168.1.n\YourShareName

but replace 192.168.1.n with the IP address of your 1st computer.

The mapped drive letter will now appear in the "Computer" window so that you can drag files from the folder on the 1st computer.

rmg1

Thanks for the info.
I finally got it sorted after I realised that the Comodo firewall was blocking the request. Just copying everything over now.

spud17

rmg1 wrote: »

Thanks for the info.
I finally got it sorted after I realised that the Comodo firewall was blocking the request. Just copying everything over now.

The reason I gave up on 3rd party firewalls.
I'm always sending stuff over the network (various Linux, XP, Win7, FreeNAS), just an added complication.

RussJK

spud17 wrote: »

The reason I gave up on 3rd party firewalls.
I'm always sending stuff over the network (various Linux, XP, Win7, FreeNAS), just an added complication.

Yeah same.

rmg1

Just one more question on this subject if I can?
I'm going to partition the hard-drive into 2 so I've got a space for the OS and programs and somewhere separate for my documents (the theory being if I want to reinstall the OS I don't lose everything in the process and I can use the same partition). That bit I can do (and is my theory correct?).

Now for the difficult bit, is it possible to hide the partition that will contain the OS and programs so it can't be used by accident?
If it can, how would I do it?

birkee

Programmes / Accessories / Transfer files and folders.

It asks where you want to transfer them to. Look for you new PC on the USB connection.
(I transferred to an external hard drive, so I had yet another back-up available. Transfer from the drive to the new PC using Win 7 'import files and folders'.)

Borrow an external hard drive?

rmg1

I've already got the files and folders copied across from my old machine, I just want to sort me new one now.

birkee

rmg1 wrote: »

I've already got the files and folders copied across from my old machine, I just want to sort me new one now.

Then it's programmes / accessories / System Tools /Transfer files and folders.
Tell Win 7 where the files are stored.

My Win 7 insisted on creating a new 'transfer files' programme before allowing the import, but it was very simple following the instructions on screen.