Windows XP Help

Peer to Peer Network using Serial or Infrared or Parallel links

If you need to network to another PC or in most cases a Laptop, you can create a direct link to your other computer over a direct line such as a serial cable, a parallel cable or even a infrared link. Then you can copy files to or from your main PC to your second PC with minimum effort.

You need to have a cross over serial or parallel cable if using the parallel or serial methods. Infrared connections are common on laptops and ideal for connecting
to phones or PDAs rather than computers.

How to set up a Peer to Peer network for the Host

1. Start, Settings, Network Connections
2. Create a New Connection, Next
3. Select Set up an Advanced Connection, Next.
4. Select Connect directly to another computer, Next
5. Now select whether this computer is the Host or Guest computer. Your main computer is usually the host.
6. Now select the type of connection: Direct Parallel, Communication Port (COM1 or COM2) or Infrared (if available)
7. Select the user(s) you want to be able to use this connection.
8. Click Finish

How to set up a Peer to Peer network for the Guest

1. Start, Settings, Network Connections
2. Create a New Connection, Next
3. Select Set up an Advanced Connection, Next.
4. Select Connect directly to another computer, Next
5. Now select whether this computer is the Host or Guest computer. Your 2nd PC or laptop is the Guest.
6. Enter name of the other computer in the box.
7. Now select the type of connection: Direct Parallel, Communication Port (COM1 or COM2) or Infrared (if available)
8. Click Finish

You can then use the connection to copy files from your Host computer to your Guest computer or vice versa.