laptop to desk top

[bigmac]

can you tell me how to connect my laptop to my desk top to transfere file across to each other.
i work from home and want to do some dvd copying on my laptop then when i get home i would like to transfere files to desktop to burn on my dvd writer. they both run on xp. if i need cables what type? please explain in idiot terms as i am one.

[Karate Media]

The simplest way, if you do not have home network set up, is to buy a $15-$20 crossover cable. This is a CAT5 ethernet cable (the broadband cable with the end that looks like a fatter telephone plug), except that the wires are switched at one end so you can link two computers together directly. Best Buy sells Belkins, I believe, clearly labeled as "Cat5 Ethernet Crossover cables."

Both computers will need to have ethernet inputs (and they probably already do).

Plug one end into one computer and the other end into the other.

On the laptop, go to the folder holding your VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders/files. Right click on this folder and choose "Properties," then select the "Sharing" tab. Check the box for "Share this file."

Create a destination folder on your desktop computer and turn on file sharing for it using the same procedure as above.

On your desktop, go to Start -> My Network Places. The laptop file you are sharing should be there (if not, search through the links under "Network Tasks") You can then drag and drop any file or folder, or use the "Copy this Folder" option on the right.

This is a quick overview, but should get you started...


EDIT: ADDENDUM-- if you are running a firewall on either computer, the easiest thing will be to disable it while you have your computers connected to eachother (I'm assuming you'd have to unplug from the Internet to do so, so there's no need for a firewall). You can also adjust your firewall settings to allow for this, but if your are truly an "idiot" , then you may just want to disable your firewall temporarily -- and remember to enable it once you're done!