networking via USB

[CKOZUK]

hi

basically my girlfriends got a laptop whihc need some major updating/patches now she only has a 56k connection i was wondering if it would be possible to connect her laptop to my pc at home via USB cable, the she can either use my net connection or i could transfer all the files over. would this be possible?

[j009h33rM3]

they sell USB A-A cables (computer-computer direct connect cables) at most computer supply stores, or usually at the tech bench of electronic retailers. You can also get a Ethernet-USB adapter which will allow you to network them together. There is a free program called Aloha Bob you can download to do the file transfer for a direct USB connection.

[Spyda]

I have networked a laptop and desktop with the Belkin Ethernet-USB adapter, and it pretty easy to set up and works fine. i think it worked out cheaper than the USB to USB aswell, i think it was £45 for the USB adapter and the crossover cable instead of £65 for the USB to USB

[RJ]

As far as I know USB A-A cables won't work, they can also damage the USB. For network connection you need a special USB connection cable, and even then it's not a real network I believe, so Ethernet-USB adapter would also be my choice.

Or, if both PCs have firewire, you can get a firewire cable and connect the PCs. With firewire yes, that is possible, but only Windows XP has firewire network support integrated, for other OS you need a third party tool.

RJ