File transfer between computers

[Derek Smith]

I've ordered a laptop. I will produce and edit copy and download pictures onto it.

What is the simplest method of transfering these files to my desktop? I'm not particularly keen on networking although a wireless network is a long term goal.

My desktop has only two USB2 ports with hubs on each and all eight ports are occupied. I also have a firewire but that is also in use. It has a spare PCI slot.

My laptop has USB2 and firewire.

I've got a 1.7 Centrino in the laptop and a 2.6 Pentium in the desktop.

Derek

[Plotloss]

If both machines have network cards then a crossover cable is what you need.

This allows you to run a network between two machines without a hub/switch.

[arcturus]

Get a bigger USB hub for the desktop and invest in a USB flashdrive.

[_DeeJay_]

Derek Smith said:

I've ordered a laptop. I will produce and edit copy and download pictures onto it. What is the simplest method of transfering these files to my desktop? I'm not particularly keen on networking although a wireless network is a long term goal. My desktop has only two USB2 ports with hubs on each and all eight ports are occupied. I also have a firewire but that is also in use. It has a spare PCI slot. My laptop has USB2 and firewire. I've got a 1.7 Centrino in the laptop and a 2.6 Pentium in the desktop. Derek

You could get the wireless network cards and use them as in ad-hoc mode (so the computers could talk to each other without using a wireless access point).

The same equipment could be used in future if you added other things to the network (Internet router or whatever).

Cards are relatively cheap and the setup process isn't too difficult...

[LongQ]

Derek Smith said:

I've ordered a laptop. I will produce and edit copy and download pictures onto it. What is the simplest method of transfering these files to my desktop? I'm not particularly keen on networking although a wireless network is a long term goal. My desktop has only two USB2 ports with hubs on each and all eight ports are occupied. I also have a firewire but that is also in use. It has a spare PCI slot. My laptop has USB2 and firewire. I've got a 1.7 Centrino in the laptop and a 2.6 Pentium in the desktop. Derek

Wireless network should be easy enough to set up and not expensive these days.

IIRC you have W2k on the desktop?

If both machines were running XP there is an inbuilt network using the Firewire ports, but not sure about W2k compatibilty options. Firewire devices can be daisy chained but I don't know if that would work with networking.

You should be able to connect via USB as well with an appropriate device. Certainly possible for several MS o/s variants since Win98se.

Alternatively a hot swappable external drive (also useful for Notebook backup?) or one of those dinky little memory devices plugged into the USB port.