How do I share files among 2 computers?

I just got my laptop so I need to transfer several huge folders from my desktop computer to it. I am using a cable router. Right now both computers are using my internet connection without problems, so I got that part figured out.

Now what I need to do is to be able to connect from one PC to the other to transfer the files. I don't want to open up my connection and invite any Turkish hacker to visit my PC, so does anyone know of any good tutorial for a beginner in networks?

Thanks

 

http://www.leeindy.com/connect_two_computers_together.shtml


This is EXACTLY what I am trying to do (even has the same router I am using), and the stupid webmaster has all his payment links broken...

Damn luck, if anyone knows of another place that has this tutorial please let me know

 

Here are a couple:
Setting up a Wireless Home Network

Home Networking Overview

 

Had todo similar movements with huge data files, what I did was burn it on several dvd's, that way can easily transfer and I got a backup of the data.

The other thing can do is use a cross cable to connect the computers, without keeping them on the internet. http://www.littlewhitedog.com/content-8.html

 

Thanks, durango, I'll chekc out the links.

WhatiFind, my problem is that I only have a cd writer on the desktop computer, it would take me dozens of discs to transfer my data... I'll see if I can do it with my router and if not I'll just use a cross cable.

Thanks!

 

lol, sometimes I impress myself...

Got a ping response from each computer, so it seems that they are now able to talk to each other. Now... how do I see the other PCs files? What program do I use or how do I explore my other pc?

 

I believe share your C drive (or D) and you'll be able to see the other computer via network locations.

 

setup an ftp server on one of the machines and ftp them
set them up on the same workgroup and share the hard-drives
use a cross over cable

There's three ways. If you don't ever need to connect either machines to another workgroup/domain controller then item 2 is the easiest. If you do, item one is by far the easiest because you don't need to mess with network settings too much.

 

Almost there...

But my bad luck continues... I can now get perfect access from my desktop to my laptop, but no the other way round...

Wow, what a nice way to spend a Saturday evening

EDIT:

Success!! Wow, that was complicated...

ANyway, this is what was causing this, in case anyone ever bumps into this problem also

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=840634

 

If your using windows xp just dump your files into my shared folder under my computer. Then you can open up my network places on any computer and find the folder on the computer, asuming everything is on the network.

 

I didin't want to use just a shared folder, I wanted to be able to access everything in my computer.

Anyway, this was solved a long time ago.

 

Interesting. What guide did you read? Because I want to do that too on my 3 computers over a router.

 

http://www.leeindy.com/connect_two_computers_together.shtml

Good tutorial, but you need to pay to get access to it

 

I gave up a long time ago with trying to make a "happy" home network. i use AIM to transfer files between pcs now. I am however connecting all these pcs through a dsl router, so when they are sent they arent actually traveling over the net. Just through the router. The speed is actually great, and I wont ever have to worry about the hackers hitting my shared/passworded folders over a network.

note: i tried with msn, yahoo, and icq and i dont get the same speed as i do with aim. also, trillian doesnt work.