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Possible Duplicate:
Is there some way to connect two computers using USB?

In 2011, is there a way to directly connect two half-way recent computers running Windows without Ethernet? The Ethernet adapter is broken on one of the machines I need to connect.

It would ideally

  • Be fast
  • Not require proprietary software
  • Allow transfer of files and folders
  • Use existing hardware and not require buying any new gadgets (Buying/installing software would be ok, though)

The only medium I can think of is USB. Is this somehow possible using a USB cable?

Community
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Pekka
  • 2,459

4 Answers4

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Yes, a host-to-host USB cable can be used for this. This kind of technology is fairly obsolete today, though, because of how easy it is to move files over the network.

Here's such a host-to-host cable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156037

jcrawfordor
  • 16,449
4

Honestly, a replacement Ethernet adapter is far cheaper than any usb host-to-host adapter I've ever seen. But you also said that both "buying a gadget" and "requiring a bit of proprietary software" were something to be avoided. Even USB Ethernet adapters are cheap. The best part is... it's 100% non-proprietary... and very well documented on how to make it work.

TheCompWiz
  • 10,912
3

Ethernet. Buy a generic Ethernet cable (crossover might be required), plug both ends to computers, wait for autoconfiguration to finish.

  • No "network connection" required: Both computers connected directly.
  • Fast: Reasonable.
  • Does not require proprietary software: Except for Windows itself.
  • Allows transfer of files and folders: As a built-in feature.
  • Use existing hardware: Well... not entirely. But then, you have to buy a cable for any method.
grawity
  • 501,077
1
grawity
  • 501,077