Using Internet Cable To Connect Two Computers?

[Christopher]

Hi

I want to connect two computers, without the internet, without a router, just with an internet cable in the other computer.

I have two windows xp computers, which are connected with the internet trough a router. If I want to copy a file, I can do this because of by sharing maps in windows xp and because I'm behind a router. But is it possible to connect two PC's with eachother (without a router) just by an internet cable? And Which software should I use? I'll think I need a crossed cable, but even if I have that, I won't be able to see an hard drive of the other computer.

[FReakMaster]

Yes, you can do this. You need a "crossover cable". Set IP addresses within the same subnet, e.g. 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2, and assign the same workgroup, e.g. "HOME". File and print sharing should then work.

[Christopher]

How do I set the ip adresses in the same subnet? Another question, should this work with an non-windows xp computer too? I have a sort of 'machine' that only works as ftp-server. It's a sort of hard-drive with an ethernet connection, but there isn't software to install on your computer, how do I connect this one?

[FReakMaster]

Your FTP server machine, do you know what its IP address is? Can you change that IP address? I'll answer your other questions once you've replied.

[Christopher]

Well normaly his IP is: 192.168.0.256. But I think that is the IP-adress if i'm behind a router. But if I only will put a cable between the "machine" and the "computer" I don't see the "machine DRIVE" on my computer, so that's my problem. I can change the IP of the machine, but how do I make that I see the HD (of my machine) on my computerscreen

[FReakMaster]

Well normaly his IP is: 192.168.0.256.

That can't be right. 255 is the maximum.

Whatever, just to be sure this works, change the IP address of your FTP machine to 192.168.1.255. Then change the IP address of your computer to 192.168.1.1. Connect a crossover cable between the two. Then, from your computer, do "ftp 192.168.1.255". It should work.

In answer to your earlier question, yes any device that complies with the TCP/IP protocol can sit on the same network as your XP machine.