USB Networking

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I have been trying to network my 2 desktops together for a week now to no avail. I’ve tried everything. They can ping each other and both use WIN XP Pro, but I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. My question is, can I go USB to USB and network that way instead of thru a router that’s connected to a DSL modem? USB to USB seems logical, but will it work, and how fast would it be (USB 2.0)????
Thanks, again…

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What network hardware are you using (make and model)?

Have checked to see what the “Firewall” settings are? Each computer may be blocking the other.

I know of NO USB to USB networking. If you have the hub (router, switch) set up you should be able to see each other.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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What network hardware are you using (make and model)?

Have checked to see what the “Firewall” settings are? Each computer may be blocking the other.

I know of NO USB to USB networking. If you have the hub (router, switch) set up you should be able to see each other.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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I have tried EVERYTHING, I think. I had the network working on my old computer running ME and when I formatted the HD and changed to XP Pro on both computers, the problem surfaced. I heard that there’s a book about networking that might help? It can’t be too tough. The networking wizard is a piece of cr^p..

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I think you are going to find out that you have a Firewall turned on.

Also did you set up XP to use NTFS or FAT32?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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I have FAT32 on 1 computer and NTSF on another. Okay I have compuer A (NTSF) seeing computer B (FAT32) but not vice versa. Both firewalls are disabled. I’m using DHCP thru the Linksys router….What else am I doing wrong????

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On the NTFS computer do you have a user account that is the same as one on the FAT32 maxhine?
The NTFS may be blocking the FAT32 machine.

Do you have ANY share set up on both machines?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Network is up and running!!! All I did was add Client for MS Networks on my old computer and everything’s great!!! Thanks for all the help…

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A great book to add to your library “This Wired Home” 3rd edition from Microsoft Press and Alan N.

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A great book to add to your library “This Wired Home” 3rd edition from Microsoft Press and Alan N.

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Hello, I am inquiring as to how you were able to connect USB to USB. I am trying to do this for a temporary connection between computers to transfer files. One does not have an ether-net card and I would like to avoid having to go out and purchase one just for this small exercise. Additionally, the one without network card does NOT have write/re-write capability. Suggestions?

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I was told here that you can’t connect USB to USB so I never tried it whereas I didn’t have a cable long enough. The only other way I can think of would be to burn a CD with the files you want to transfer, if you have a burner on the machine with the files. Sorry, but you’re asking the wrong person here, I’m a neophyte myself. Good luck and post your question in the hardware forum. Someone brighter than I will reply.

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I was told here that you can’t connect USB to USB so I never tried it whereas I didn’t have a cable long enough. The only other way I can think of would be to burn a CD with the files you want to transfer, if you have a burner on the machine with the files. Sorry, but you’re asking the wrong person here, I’m a neophyte myself. Good luck and post your question in the hardware forum. Someone brighter than I will reply.

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Hi there!

There IS a way of networking two machines together via the USB ports, but it involves the use of a purpose-built data link cable. It’s a regular USB cable with a ‘block’ between the two connectors which I presume contains the circuitry that would normally be found on a network card. I have one which is very handy for occasional use. Details of the one I bought can be found here. I’m sure with a bit of searching you could find a US supplier for a similar product.

I think there are two versions by this manufacturer, one which uses an ‘Explorer’-like control program and one which shows the connected machine as a workgroup computer. My supplier only stocked the first version so that’s what I went for, but on reflection I’d rather have had the second. Still, it’s very useful for basic file transfer.

Another method would be to use a couple of USB-to-Ethernet adapters and a crossover patch lead between them. May end up costing as much as proper network cards though.

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Thank You for your inputs…I was able to do some additional research and found out about the USB connector with the “Block” in the middle. At Best Buy they wanted the same amount of money as getting a USB Network adapter, so I settled for the network capability…made more sense since I could keep it and use it with other systems that I work on that don’t have network capability. I was able to do everything I wanted…and then some. Additionally I am able to use existing software/drivers in WIN XP, which was beneficial because I didn’t have to learn any new tricks with “proprietary” software. Thanks again for all your help; I learned quite a bit from this experience and I appreciate it.

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Thank You for your inputs…I was able to do some additional research and found out about the USB connector with the “Block” in the middle. At Best Buy they wanted the same amount of money as getting a USB Network adapter, so I settled for the network capability…made more sense since I could keep it and use it with other systems that I work on that don’t have network capability. I was able to do everything I wanted…and then some. Additionally I am able to use existing software/drivers in WIN XP, which was beneficial because I didn’t have to learn any new tricks with “proprietary” software. Thanks again for all your help; I learned quite a bit from this experience and I appreciate it.

Reply | Quote

Hi there!

There IS a way of networking two machines together via the USB ports, but it involves the use of a purpose-built data link cable. It’s a regular USB cable with a ‘block’ between the two connectors which I presume contains the circuitry that would normally be found on a network card. I have one which is very handy for occasional use. Details of the one I bought can be found here. I’m sure with a bit of searching you could find a US supplier for a similar product.

I think there are two versions by this manufacturer, one which uses an ‘Explorer’-like control program and one which shows the connected machine as a workgroup computer. My supplier only stocked the first version so that’s what I went for, but on reflection I’d rather have had the second. Still, it’s very useful for basic file transfer.

Another method would be to use a couple of USB-to-Ethernet adapters and a crossover patch lead between them. May end up costing as much as proper network cards though.

Reply | Quote

Hello, I am inquiring as to how you were able to connect USB to USB. I am trying to do this for a temporary connection between computers to transfer files. One does not have an ether-net card and I would like to avoid having to go out and purchase one just for this small exercise. Additionally, the one without network card does NOT have write/re-write capability. Suggestions?

Reply | Quote

Network is up and running!!! All I did was add Client for MS Networks on my old computer and everything’s great!!! Thanks for all the help…

Reply | Quote

On the NTFS computer do you have a user account that is the same as one on the FAT32 maxhine?
The NTFS may be blocking the FAT32 machine.

Do you have ANY share set up on both machines?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

Reply | Quote

I have FAT32 on 1 computer and NTSF on another. Okay I have compuer A (NTSF) seeing computer B (FAT32) but not vice versa. Both firewalls are disabled. I’m using DHCP thru the Linksys router….What else am I doing wrong????

Reply | Quote

I think you are going to find out that you have a Firewall turned on.

Also did you set up XP to use NTFS or FAT32?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

Reply | Quote

I have tried EVERYTHING, I think. I had the network working on my old computer running ME and when I formatted the HD and changed to XP Pro on both computers, the problem surfaced. I heard that there’s a book about networking that might help? It can’t be too tough. The networking wizard is a piece of cr^p..

Reply | Quote