Reference number: CH000246

Setting up direct cable connection in Windows 95/98.

Issue:

Setting up direct cable connection in Windows 95/98.

Cause:

To transfer files from one computer to another it may be required that a direct serial cable connection be setup.

Solution:

Below is a step-by-step instructions for setting up direct cable connection in Windows 95 and/or Windows 98. For these steps to work properly you must have a Null Modem Cable which can be purchased at a local retail store.

1. Your Null Modem Cable must be connected directly to each of the computers you plan to connect to, and you cannot have a Serial device currently connected to your computer, considering the port is going to be used for the Direct Cable connection.
2. Ensure that your Serial Ports are enabled in CMOS Setup. See our CMOS page for additional information on CMOS and information on getting into the CMOS setup.
3. For Direct Cable connection to work you must fist install the software used for the communication. To install Direct Cable Connection click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Add Remove Programs / Click the Windows Setup Tab / Double-click the communications icon / Check the Direct Cable connection box. If this box is already checked, it is recommended that you uncheck the box and then place the check back in the box to ensure that the complete program is installed into the computer. Once completely installed, reboot the computer.
4. Once back in windows click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Network / Click the button File and Print Sharing. In File and print sharing Check the box "I want to be able to give others access to my files" also while in this window enable Print sharing. Click Ok, if Windows attempts to locate the drivers but is not able to, do this two times and reboot the computer again to ensure these settings are updated.
5. Once back into Windows, double-click My Computer / Click on the drive you wish to share your information on. Usually this would be Drive C: / Once the Properties window for the drive double-clicked on is open double-click the Sharing Tab / Choose the option for Shared As / Ensure a name is entered in Share Name / Click the apply button and reboot the computer to ensure the changes have taken affect.
6. Once the above steps have been completed you must then decide which computer would be host and which computer would be the guest. Once this is determined, first setup the Host computer by Clicking on Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection. In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Host, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / if so desired specify a password / Click Next your computer will then wait for the guest computer to send signal to the Host computer.
7. Once the above steps have been completed, for the second computer in setting up and configuring the Direct Cable connection (other then step 6) Click Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection. In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Guest, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / Click Next and the computer will begin to look for the Host computer.
8. Once the Host and the Guest have been setup you should establish a connection; at this point you will be able to browse the hard drive that has been shared through Network neighborhood.

Additional information:

• See document CH000600 for additional information and methods of copying information from one computer to another.