[referee07]

I just "discovered" Windows Briefcase and would like to use this program to be able to share/coordinate/update programs, e.g., My Documents, Works Calendar, etc. between the computers. My question is: how do I physically connect the computers and how does Briefcase work? I have done some Internet/Google research and saw where the computers can be connected by a CAT5 cable and using a router and a LAN (I don't have a router.) so, at this point, I would need to use some method other than the LAN method. Also, does anyone know of a good Internet page that shows how to "set-up" the computer to be able to use Briefcase, i.e., how to to into "Control Panel" or some other internal Windows program to get Briefcase to be able to share programs between two computers? Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnWill]

Truthfully, I'd forget Briefcase and look at Microsoft's SyncToy, it's a lot easier to use. I'm also not sure why you reject the network cable, it's the most flexible way to connect the two systems, and it's pretty easy to do.

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, thanks for the reply. By network cable are you referring to just linking the two computers together using a Cat5 cable in the cable modem ports? I wasn't rejecting the network cable method. I just didn't really know what would be the best way to connect the computers. I really don't believe that I have a need for a router in that I am the only one to use a computer in my house and I only have the two computers, the desktop and the laptop. I will take a look at SyncToy. BTW, in that you are a Moderator, do you know how I can begin getting "Instant E-mail" replies to my posts on TSG.com? This function worked for a long time and then suddenly stopped working. Thanks in advance for this and thanks again for responding to my question re: connedting and sharing info. on two computers.

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, please disregard my issue with "Instant E-mail" notifications. Actually, I had gotten an instant E-mail notification of your reply right before I responded. (I'll blame the fact that I immediately forgot that I got this E-mail notification on a solar flare.) 8~)

 

[JohnWill]

Solar flares are a common issue around here.

Yep, I was talking about a CAT5 crossover cable to connect the two computers. Here's a page that describes the process: http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, thanks again. I downloaded SyncToy but haven't gotten to take a look at it yet. And, thanks for the link to creating a connection between two computers via aCAT5 cable.

 

[JohnWill]

Let us know if you need anything else.

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, on the site http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html, which one applies to just connecting two computers together with a CAT5 cable without a router? Thanks.

 

[JohnWill]

Try this link, I think I posted the wrong one.

http://www.ezlan.net/direct.html

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, thanks. It must have been another solar flare. BTW, were you talking about "Windows XP Simple File Sharing?" Also, will I use this with SyncToy or is this something different? Thanks again.

 

[JohnWill]

Once you have them networked, you can use anything, even Windows explorer. SyncToy would be a good choice.

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, thanks again.

 

[JohnWill]

You're welcome.

You can mark your own threads solved using the thread tools at the upper right of the screen.

 

[referee07]

JohnWill, in SyncToy when I go to "Browse" in order to find the files that I want my two computers to share, I don't see them anywhere. For instance, on my desktop I have a folder labeled "My Documents" that contains Word documents, Works documents, PDF files and folders like "My Music," "My Received Files," "Scanned Articles," and others. When I look in "Browse" in SyncToy I don't see this "Folder." I see "My Documents" but all of the Works, Word, PDF files aren't there. Any ideas on this? Thanks again.

 

[JohnWill]

Pick a left folder on your system, say My Documents. Then, browse to the right folder, and open up "My Netowrk Places", and you'll find the remote shared resources there. It works on folders, what exactly are you trying to do?