If you're connecting your desktop and laptop by using serial or parallel ports or the infrared port, then you need to configure Windows for a direct connection. That sounds well and good, but in practice it's not that easy to set up and even harder to get going. So if you have the stamina for it, here are the steps to take.
First comes the desktop (or Host) computer:
1. Open the Control Panel's Networking Connections icon.
This displays other Network Connections window.
2. Click the Create a New Connection task over in the Network Tasks part of the window (on the left).
Or you can choose File --> New Connection.
The New Connection Wizard rears its boring head.
3. Click the Next button.
4. Choose the Set Up an Advanced Connection option.
5. Click the Next button.
6. Choose Connect Directly to Another Computer.
7. Click the Next button.
8. On the desktop computer, choose Host. On the laptop computer, choose Guest.
It doesn't matter which is which, but one computer must be the host and the other the guest.
9. Click the Next button.
The remainder of the rules here apply to the Host computer. The steps for the Guest computer appear later in this article.
10. From the drop-down list, choose the port you're using to connect.
This depends on the cable, but also on which ports are available. Be sure to choose the right one! Most desktop systems have two serial ports, labeled COM1 and COM2.
Note that this is also how you set up the infrared connection by choosing that port from the drop-down list.
11. Click the Next button.
12. Choose the user(s) allowed access to your computer.
Select the login name from the list.
13. Click the Next button.
14. Click the Finish button.
A new icon appears in the Network Connections window. For the Host computer, the icon is named Incoming Connections.
After completing these steps for the Host computer, you must do the same on the Guest computer. Here goes:
1. Complete Steps 1 through 9 in the preceding list, and then continue to Step 2 in this list.
2. Type in a name for this connection, such as Desktop.
This is merely the name applied to the icon that appears in the Network Connections window. For example, you could give the icon the same name as the desktop computer.
3. Click the Next button.
4. Choose the port you're using to connect to the desktop computer.
Serial ports are labeled COM1 and COM1, the parallel (printer) port is LPT1. The infrared connection, if available, can also be chosen from the list. Choose the port that you'll be using based on the way that you're connecting the two systems.
5. Click the Next button.
6. Click the Finish button.
Well . . . you really aren't finished yet.
7. Click the Cancel button to close the Connect Desktop dialog box.
Windows is eagerly jumping the gun here. Anyway, the connection icon appears in the Network Connections window. Now you're ready to run through a direct connection.
When both computers are configured, you can then connect them. Plug in the connecting cable to the proper ports. Then to make the connection from the laptop, double-click the desktop computer's connection icon in the Network Connections window. (The guest connects to the host.)
Fill in the Connect dialog box with your account name and password for the desktop computer. Click the Connect button. The desktop computer should answer and create the connection. After it's set, the two computers are "networked," and you can use standard networking methods to access each system's resources.
To disconnect the guest machine, you can revisit the Network Connections window, right-click the connection icon, and choose Disconnect.
And now the bad news: This doesn't work as best as it could. The chances of making a successful connection are iffy at best. A few third-party programs are available, such as PC Anywhere, and they can do a better job. (Some programs even come with their own cables.) But there are just so many variables and adjustments necessary to make Windows Direct Connection workable that it can be a nightmare.
When the direct connection has been established, the Host computer displays an icon indicating the guest's connection, as shown in the margin.
Any other network connections the Host computer has will also be shared with the Guest computer.
Note that regular Ethernet networking is about a jillion times faster than direct connection. Don't be surprised when you discover this is a slow way to keep your laptop updated.
If you've tried and this really doesn't work, then avoid the frustration of troubleshooting the connection and instead get the Ethernet cable, and then network your desktop and laptop PCs the "real" way.