Transferring data from desktop to laptop

[winnie10]

I've just purchased a laptop and need to transfer data from the existing desktop to the laptop (itunes, photos etc). I purchased a USB cable with 'A to A' connectors thinking I could simply connect the two computers using the cable and I'd be able to access the files on the desktop hard disk but it doesn't work. I cannot see the desktop hard disk when I go to Windows Explorer.

Suggestions please!

Thanks in advance.

[Ethel]

I bought a cheap usb flash drive to transfer data. Very quick and easy.

[Buenchico]

Oops! Quote:
"Ordinary USB cables must not be used to connect two computers directly to each other. Attempting to do so can electrically damage the computers"

Source:
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetwork ing/a/connecttwocomp.htm

If you're going to need to couple the two computers on a regular basis, you need to read the article, in that link, to learn about such things as ethernet cards. However, If you only need to transfer data once (or just occasionally), and your desktop has got a CD-writer, it will be far simpler just to copy the files onto a CD. (This will also give you a useful back-up of the data).

Chris

[Buenchico]

I was typing while Ethel was posting. A flash drive is an excellent suggestion. (I'm kicking myself for not thinking of it!). Although it's dearer than a CD, it offers a method of transferring files which is far simpler than networking the two computers.

If it's a one-off transfer and you don't think that you'd ever need a flash drive again, either borrow a flash drive or copy the files to a CD. If you'll be transferring files again in the future (or you simply think that you'll have further uses for a flash drive), go out and buy a flash drive. Only if you think that you'll be transferring files almost continuously would I suggest bothering to network the computers.

Chris

[heathfield]

There is such a thing as a USB crossover cable. (Maplin have them). Once the driver is loaded, you simply plug each end into the USB ports on each computer. Some computer shops have never heard of them, e.g. PC World.
But these days a flash memory stick would be as cheap and probably faster. I got a 2Gb one from Aldi 2 weeks ago for under �23.
Watch out for shops selling old stock, bought in at a high price. I've seen 256Mb one recently that's still on sale at �49!
Remember, too, that if you have a digital camera and card reader, that you can use the cards in exactly the same way as a flash memory stick.

[winnie10]

Thanks for all the suggestions - hadn't thought of using a memory card! Anyway, I've purchased a flash drive and will spend some time over the weekend transferring the stuff over - and I'll make sure I never try and connect the two using a USB cable again!