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Resolved Question

Connecting a laptop and a netbook

Sep 8, 2011 10:36AM PDT

Hi,

I would like to connect my old laptop to my new netbook so that I don't have to use a USB stick all the time. I have read that it is possible with a cross-over cable (among other solutions). The old laptop has Vista installed on it, the new netbook has Windows 7.

Yesterday though I went to the computer shop to get a cross-over cable and the owner told me they don't make a difference any more and that I can connect two computers with any new ethernet cable. Is it true? I had found a site that specifically said I need a "cross-over cable" and that it is not the same as a normal ethernet cable.

Anyway, these are the specifications of the cable he had:
Network cable Cat6
RJ45 to RJ45

What do you think?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Bo

Discussion is locked

OzBo has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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My newer laptops do what is called.
Sep 9, 2011 2:06AM PDT

AUTO-MDX so I can use the normal cable.

But wait, I also use DROP BOX and never have to copy stuff over with a thumb drive.
Bob

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Thanks for the replies
Sep 9, 2011 6:30AM PDT

Thanks for the replies. Happy

DropBox is very useful too, but I only have the free version (up to 2 GB).

What would be the pros and cons of setting up a private wireless network?

I had tried the old cable that came with my modem by the way, but it didn't work.
Sorry for the simple question, but how do I know if my ports do Auto MDX?

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Re: private network
Sep 9, 2011 6:35AM PDT

If you have a wireless router to use your laptop and netbook with the Internet, you practically have it. You only have to enable file access.
If you have (for laptop and netbook each) a wired connection with the router, it's the same.

If you don't have a (wireless) router to use Internet on both the laptop and the netbook without connecting them each apart wired to the modem, this won't work and you need the cable.

Kees

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I guess...
Sep 9, 2011 9:15AM PDT

I will need the cable then...
Thanks for your reply.

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I can't tell from the details so far.
Sep 9, 2011 9:22AM PDT

Usually I get the make and model numbers to figure that out.

The cable should fail if you have an internet connection at the time and well, you may be making this more complicated than less.
Bob

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Answer
Well it's not even necessary to use a cable.
Sep 8, 2011 7:38PM PDT

You can set up a private wireless network and share a drive.

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Answer
If you use a cable ...
Sep 8, 2011 7:46PM PDT

I'd certainly use a cross-over cable.

Kees

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Just sharing.
Sep 9, 2011 2:08AM PDT

My laptops here do AUTO MDX on the ports so it's pretty amazing to get the gigabit LAN speed with a straight cable. The crossover runs at the lower 100 megabit speed.
Bob