How do I connect two computers by cable? Both are using Windows XP.

You can link the input/out ports of two computers by using a "direct cable connection" that lets you perform actions like exchange files and access resources between the computers.

Physically you'll need to plug a null modem cable into each of the computers' I/O ports. (If you create a direct connection with a serial cable, the port that you select in the 'New Connection Wizard' is enabled for connections that use a null modem).

For Windows XP to recognise the connection, you'll need to follow a couple of steps.

Making a Direct Cable Connection:

  1. Click 'Start', click 'Control Panel', Click 'Network Connections'.
  2. Select 'Create a new connection', Click 'Next'.
  3. Select 'Set up an advanced connection', Click 'Next'.
  4. Select 'Connect directly to another computer', Click 'Next'.
  5. Choose the computer's role in this communication: if it has the info you need to access, click 'Host'. Click 'Guest' if this PC will access info from the other computer.

      Setting up the Host computer:
    1. Click the connection port you want to use (a parallel or serial port), Click 'Next'.
    2. Select the appropriate check boxes to give access to the users allowed to connect, Click 'Next'.
    3. Click 'Finish'.

      Setting up the Guest computer:
    1. Enter a name to identify this connection, Click 'Next'.
    2. Click the connection port you want to use (a parallel or serial port), Click 'Next'.
    3. If this connection will be available for all users click 'Anyone's use'. Click 'My use only' if it's only for you. Click 'Next'.
    4. Click 'Finish'.