Connect 2 comps with modem and tel cable

[magic_plank]

Can I connect 2 computers (One ruunning DOS) to share/transfer files using  ordinary telephone cable and/or a modem? I have considered parallel, serial and ethernet, and are not an option (yet) In the mean time, can it be done?

[Rob Pomeroy]

Whoah there.  Why can't you do this with LAN, serial, parallel or USB?  Do you like pain?

[magic_plank]

LOL
On the laptop I am using, I don't have ethernet or USB and no room for expansion, and I am currently sans appropriate cables for parallel/serial-laplink/interlnk. I want to know if there is a way to do this using bits I have lying around before I run off to ebay for a laplink cable...

[Dead_reckon]

for one thing, it is a serious pain in the arse to "dial" two computers together, and not worth it, 56kbs would be INSANLY SLOW! find a way to use somthing else, you wont regret it

[magic_plank]

56kbs? That dosen't sound insanely slow to me. I've worked with 9600 baud and less. Could people please stop telling me its impractical because I'm an impractical sort of guy, and tell me if/how I can do it?

[soybean]

Why not use a crossover cable to connect the two computers?  Does each computer have a LAN/ethernet card?  If so, then all you would need is a crossover cable.  Way faster than what you're talking about doing.

[patio]

He has already stated the laptop does not have Ethernet...

A modem needs a telephony signal to work...since you cannot call yourself up at home i'm guessing that this has no hope of working.

Simple logic to me but i've been wrong before.

patio.    8-)

[soybean]

By golly, patio, you're quite right.  wooden spoon, how old is that freaking laptop?  Why neither USB or ethernet?

[magic_plank]

about 15 years, but I can't afford an upgrade just because It's out of date. I have had it on the internet before but the telephone company no longer supports modems below a certain speed.                            
This looks promising:
http://www.jagshouse.com/modem.html

Just need to see if I have any caps and resistors lying around...

[soybean]

"about 15 years".  Whew!  Sorry, but that one belongs in the computer museum.

Anyway, good luck with your project.

[patio]

Why not serial or parralel ? ?
Although slow compared to today's standards it does work.

[magic_plank]

I want to know if there is a way to do this using bits I have lying around before I run off to ebay for a laplink cable...

Besides, I'm halfway there. I found everything I need in my bits box, except a 380ohm resistor, which I can get from DT class, or use a couple I have lying around in series.
It's something to do. I would actually prefer this because it's interesting.

I also forgot to mention I don't have any money at the moment anyway...

[Rob Pomeroy]

All I can say is I don't know how to do this, but it must be theoretically possible, because a modem is after all just another comms port.  You can program it to do anything.  I just wonder if it would be marginally easier to intercept the computer's serial port - before the (onboard?) modem connection, and then RS232 to the other computer?

I left serious electronics tinkering behind a long time ago.  Good luck!

[timberwolf]

I'd really consider a null-modem connection.  A suitable cable should run you less than $20.  This explains it a lot better than I could
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem

[magic_plank]

Yes, we have already gone through that. I have already explained that I don't really use this laptop for anything practical, the question itself was out of curiosity, I don't have $20, (Or about £12), I have already stated;

56kbs? That dosen't sound insanely slow to me. I've worked with 9600 baud and less. Could people please stop telling me its impractical because I'm an impractical sort of guy, and tell me if/how I can do it?

I also forgot to mention I don't have any money at the moment anyway...

I would actually prefer this because it's interesting.

I am only lacking a <£0.50 component which I can pick up for free, rather than a £12 lead. I am also sure I would learn something valuable doing this, I have already recognised that this is not a practical way to do it, but I have acknowledge this and I want to try it anyway. So, in the nicest and most courteous way, if you have a suggestion or opinion about direct cable connection through serial or parrallel, thanks but no thanks. I have already stated that this is not what I want
/rant