.: Iggy Discovers USB Networking
By:Iggy Quazi
Category:Home / Computers / Hardware
My new laptop is fantastic, with it's nice new squeaky-clean operating system it runs like a dream. But it wasn't long before I had to face the technical challenge of getting all my old data from my old desktop computer (which was bursting at the seams with data!) onto my new laptop.
I was also intending to format and give away my old computer, so I could not afford to lose any of this data in the process.
I sat down at my old computer and listed all of my important files to assess exactly what and how much data I needed to transfer over to the new laptop.
Including my pictures, MP3's, Office documents, work backup's and so on, I was looking at transferring about 20 Gigabytes worth of data, it seems to build up so quickly! Thank goodness for my new laptop's 100 Gigabyte Hard Drive, which will allow me to transfer all of my data to it and still have room for a lot more. I know that the main application programmes (Word, Excel and so on) from my old computer will all have to be reinstalled on to the new laptop from their original install disks, but how do I get all the rest of the data over to the new laptop?
Floppy disk? - no way, even if my laptop had a floppy disk drive I would need about 14,000 disks!
CD or DVD? - Both my new laptop and my old computer have CD ROM drives, to get all my data over using CD's I would need about 30 disks as well as some software to package all the data up nice and tidily across the 30 disks, viable but a lot of work and time needed. DVD's would be better but my old computer does not have a DVD drive! There must be an easier way.
USB Memory Stick? - Not really a viable option, the maximum capacity of the USB Memory Stick that I can afford is 512MB, so this would require about 40 swaps from the old computer to the new and as my old computer is only USB1.1 which transfers at 1.5 mega bytes this process is going to be possible but really slow.
Networking? - Apparently I could network my two machines together with a "Cross Wired Network lead" and a copy of "Networking Computers for Dummies", but unfortunately my old dinosaur of a computer does not have a network card! Network cards are cheap enough but I still don't want to spend any money on this old computer and really don't fancy fiddling around inside the desktop. Although it does sound good to be able to connect the two computers together and transfer the data through the cable.
This is when I came across a very handy cable called a USB Data Link Cable. Apparently I can just plug one end into the USB port on my old PC and the other end into the USB port on my new laptop and then as if by magic, I should have a USB Network between both computers. Now this sounds more like it! Both my computers have USB ports and even though my old computer is USB1.1 and my new laptop is USB2.0 the cable should work anyway, although the transfer rate will only be at the lower USB1.1 speed.
After finding more about this cable on the Internet I found out that it is also known as a USB File/Data Transfer Cable. Once connected, the transfer of data is done quickly and effortlessly by simply dragging and dropping files from one window to another, just as you normally would when moving files around on your system. So I ordered one online right away.
The USB Data Transfer Cable arrived the next day and I got down to the business of getting the thing to work, the hardest part was working out the blatantly "translated" instructions. All I had to do was install the included software from the CD, once only on each of my computers, then plug the cable into a USB port on each computer and run the software. Two Windows Explorer type windows appeared, one showing files on the laptop and the other showing files on the PC, then I simply dragged and dropped files between the two computers.
I was amazed, this USB cable solution was fantastic. It was so easy to set up and turned out to be the cheapest option by far at only £15 and much less hassle than any other option, almost too good to be true, magic!
Article keywords: USB, Data Transfer Cable, CD, DVD, USB Memory Stick, operating system, Hard Drive, networking
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Article by Iggy Quazi director of Ecommerce business Mouse2House based in Essex, England stocking a wide range of digital imaging devices. For more info visit the Mouse 2 House company website at www.mouse2house.co.uk where you will find the latest in digital media products. For CD and DVD media see www.mouse2house.co.uk/index.php?CatURN=640
.: New Hardware Articles
1). Computer Recycling: What You Need To Know
Overall disposing of computers correctly by recycling parts and components could result in a better cleaner less toxic environment. Cleaner environment means less global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. Also reducing the amount of raw materials needed in order to produce these machines.
2). How To Keep A Cleaner, Longer Running Computer
One of the more neglected aspects of owning a PC is following some simple preventative maintenance procedures. Preventative maintenance procedures are commonly recommended for most all mechanical and technological gadgets.
3). What is the WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 2006 directive concerns the responsible disposal of electrical and computer equipment by companies and individuals, and is now enshrined in European Law.
4). Edgeline Printer Technology Will Change Office Printing Forever
Imagine print speeds as fast as 70 pages per minute. Imagine color output as good as the best inkjet technology. Now combine that with the best operating costs available today. Sound too futuristic to be possible? Find out why this technology could be in your office by mid-year.
5). Ink Cartridges: How to Buy the Best Value Printer For Them
Printers, ink cartridges and other computer peripheral hardware are any everyday part of life at home and work today
6). HP Ink Cartridge Refill Kits Are Smart Buys
For those who need HP ink cartridge refill kits, the news is good. There are many companies that make these tools.
7). Find The Best Computer Printer Ink Price Ranges
However you can not find much difference in computer printer ink price ranges in the stores. Even you may not found the exact price to the same products in different stores. That is why the ultimate solution to get the exact price may in some cases you will get discount price.
.: Top Hardware Articles
1). Acer Aspire 3004WLCi - A Quick Review
I recently found myself in need of a new laptop. With a tight budget and moderate needs, I knew it wasn't going to be easy to find a product that would do what I wanted and still be in my price range.
As a Network Technician and a Web Designer, I needed a machine that would have enough storage to store all my software, projects for my clients, and still be able to handle an occasional temporary operating system backup from a client's machine.
2). IBM Computer Diagnostics: Error and Beep Codes
The following table includes some of the more common printed error codes that might be displayed when your vintage or non vintage IBM computer is performing the power-on self test (POST).
- record error codes that are displayed. If you need to call for help it will be best to be able to provide the error codes.
- if you get multiple error codes , always work to solve problems in the order in which the error codes are displayed.
3). Find your laptop drivers easily!
Many people, especially beginners, struggle in finding drivers for their laptops. In this article, I will illustrate two ways to help you find your laptop drivers quickly, and easily.
The first method we will consider is to visit a company's website, and attempt to find a 'Drivers' or 'downloads' link. If a similar link is not immediately apparent, look for a search box.
4). Canon Pixma inside out – the iP4200 Photo Printer
So you might have already heard about the new Canon Pixma iP4200 that’s doing the rounds in the computer hardware industry nowadays. Everybody is reviewing it, including us.
Canon has been keeping mum over the longest-lasting-photo-prints debate for sometime now. Possible explanations include the newly released Pixma iP4200, with built-in duplex printing; individual cartridges; two paper-input trays; easy operation; inexpensive; great-looking photos; and 100-year print life.
5). How To Properly Install A New Motherboard
The motherboard is the most expensive computer component so be sure to treat and handle it with great care.There are a few things you should do to ensure no motherboard damage occur as you prepare for the installation.
Be sure you have a clean,well lit,and level work place.Relax your mind and make this task both fun and educational.You will need such tools as a phillips screwdriver,maybe some needle nose pliers and the manual that came with the board.
6). Why do we defrag the Hard Disk?
What is Defragging?
Defragging is process done to a hard disk in order to improve performance and recover some lost disk space. Defragging is an essential part of a PC's upkeep as it keeps all the data on your hard disk in an easily readable order. If a hard disk is left without defragging, then over time the disk will begin to lose performance and also slowly reduce the available capacity to data.
7). USB Memory - Tips on Booting Your USB Device
The arrival of this miniature hard disk was a great timing just as computing is in need for memory drives that can solve the problem of the aging floppy disk.