Monday, December 16, 2002		Feature

TRANSFERRING data from one computer to another can be a major headache, especially when you are working with laptops. Laptops, with their portability, bring the disadvantage of limited storage space and therefore, there is often a need to back up data in laptop. A convenient way of doing this is to transfer the data from the laptop onto a PC. You can then keep a backup on the PC’s hard drive or write the data on a CD using a CD writer. Sounds easy. Well! If both computers are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN), transferring data is not a big problem. You can easily transfer data at high speeds using LAN. But if you don’t have access to LAN, transferring data can be a worry, and setting up LAN is expensive.

Fortunately, Microsoft provides a utility with its Windows Operating System that allows you to transfer data between computers by creating a virtual network. The Direct Cable Connection (DCC) facility of Windows (’95, ’98, ME) enables resources on one computer (shared folders, CD ROM drives, printers and network connections) to be accessed by another, without the need for a permanent network connection.

DCC uses a null modem cable to transfer data using a parallel or a serial port. This cable is the only hardware required to set up the virtual network between two computers. The cable can be purchased online or through a local hardware vendor. Or you can make your own cable (if you are a networking buff). You can visit (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q142324) for specification on the cables. Cables are available for serial as well as parallel ports. Parallel ports are generally preferred as they provide faster transfer speeds. The parallel port cable has two male heads and is connected to the parallel (printer) port of the two computers.

DCC is shipped with standard editions of Windows. Follow these simple steps.

Installing DCC

• Select add/remove programs icon in the system Control Panel via Start/Settings/Control Panel menu.

• Select Windows Setup tab and highlight communications component

• Click Details button and tick both Dial-Up Networking and Direct Cable Connection components. Complete the selection by clicking OK.

In order to transfer data, we need to set up one of the computers as host and other as guest. The host computer has the files that the guest computer can access. In order to allow the guest computer access to its files, the host computer should have file sharing enabled and the folder containing the files shared. The network protocol on both computers should be the same (IPX/SPX, NETBUI or TCP/IP). The workgroup name on the computers should also be same and the computer names should be different.

Sharing files

• Select Network icon in the system Control Panel via Start/Settings/Control Panel menu

• Click File and Print Sharing... button in the Network dialogue box and enable file and printer sharing access as required before hitting OK.

• Share the folder containing files that you want to give access to.

Now the next step is to establish a connection between computers. One computer is to be set up as the host and the other one as the guest. The following steps are to be repeated on both computers. The host computer should be set up before the guest computer.

Establish connection

• Start the Connection Wizard by selecting Direct Cable Connection on the Start/Programs/Accessories menu

• Indicate whether the machine is to be a Host or Guest and click Next button.

• Highlight the port you wish to use (serial or parallel) and click Next.

• If you are configuring the host computer, you can specify a password that the guest computer will need to use in order to access the host.