How to Transfer Files Using a Patch Cable
Even though networking has become commonplace, there are occasions when one or two computers cannot get onto the network---this does not mean files cannot be transferred. A crossover patch cable will help make it easy to connect the two computers to facilitate a file transfer. A patch cable is an electrical cable that connects two devices, usually between a computer and a network. However, a crossover cable is a patch used to connect two network switches together; it can be used to connect two computers as well.
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Instructions
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Share a directory on the computer receiving the files. On a Windows Vista system, click on the Start Menu, then Computer. Navigate to the directory that needs to be shared and right click on that directory and select Sharing. Set up the user permissions for the sharing as desired and then click Share to complete the sharing process.
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Connect a crossover ethernet patch cable into the ethernet ports of both computers. It does not matter which end goes into which computer.
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Set up the networking parameters on the sending computer by giving it an IP of 192.168.1.10, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. On a Windows Vista system, click on the Start Menu, then Control Panel and then Network and Sharing Center. Click on Manage Network Connections, then click on the ethernet interface listed and edit the properties for TCP/IP verison 4. Define an IP address of 192.168.1.10 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. None of the other parameters are needed.
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Set up the networking parameters on the receiving computer by giving it an IP of 192.168.1.11 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. On a Windows Vista system, click on the Start menu, then Control Panel, then Network and Sharing Center. Click on Manage Network Connections, then click on the ethernet interface listed and edit the properties for TCP/IP version 4. Define an IP address of 192.168.1.11 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. None of the other parameters are needed.
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Navigate, via the computer sending the file, to the share previously defined on the receiving computer. On a Windows Vista system, click on the Start Menu, then Network. A list of resources will be displayed including the share defined earlier. Go to that share and copy/paste all the file being copied. If a username and password prompt comes up, log in as the user defined in the sharing process earlier.
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Tips & Warnings
If there is a USB flash drive available, it may be much easier to transfer files via USB instead.
Do not use a straight through patch cable. The description on the cable itself indicates whether it's crossover or not. This cable can be bought at larger computer stores.
