Compaq LTE Elite 4/75 CXL - Networking issues.

[caHarkness]

Hey, Thanks for taking the time to read/answer my post.
I just registered here because I found this whole forum (
and site) useful and it turns out I have a quick question
myself.

I have an old Compaq LTE Elite 4/75 CXL for vintage/hobby
purposes.. I would like to move some old programs onto it's
hardrive (such as QBX and Gamemaker 1,2, etc). However,
the floppy drive is somewhat damaged. So using floppies is
off the list.

This old notebook has no ethernet port either, so I cannot
network it with my main PC (with Windows XP). Also I do not
own a Null Modem cable.. Nope.. not even a double sided LTP
err LPT cable.. (aka the printer cable).

The only possible way for it to even access the 'outside' world
is to use its PCMCIA Modem card.. Is there a way to network my
two computers between phonelines.. using two modems.. same
house.. etc? Don't worry, I've also googled it and tried to search
for it myself... No luck.. 0.0;

Thanks,
-Conner H.

[piaaz]

Hey "Conner H",

It is possible to setup two computer via modem and dial into one another......but the headache and work involved will over weight the solution I could suggest.

If it was me I would get a IDE 2.5" cable converter.....from this site:
http://sewelldirect.com/25to35ideconverter.asp

Then remove the hard drive from the laptop and connect it to your main PC (file transfer will be very quick in comparison to modem 33.6 connection.

Here is some help to take a laptop a part:
http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_compaq.html

Cheers

[caHarkness]

Thank you for your advice,
I appreciate it.

I have successfully taken apart the laptop/notebook
myself.. about twice. Mainly to try to see the floppy
drive's problem.. but the item you mentioned.. the
IDE converter doesn't look like it's the appropriate
'end' for the compaq hardrive.. no?

Unless I need to take it out of the caddy and
remove the hardrive.. (which I never have done).

Once again, thanks,
but if you do know how to transfer files
via modem and phone line.. it would be great
if you could post how/ or maybe a link to a site
that shows me how.

=)

[DaveLembke]

For about $20 you can set up a serial or LPT network. That laptop must have a serial and LPT parallel port, maybe tucked behind a flip door. You can then network it being Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or if you have enough Ram you could even squeeze Windows 98 SE onto the HD and then network that via LPT or serial null cable.

There are a number of programs out there to allow also for a simple file transfer between systens if you dont want a network between them, but just to send and receive files back and forth between systems. One is called Laplink, then other Filevan but they cost money.

If you had a 2.5" to 3.5" interface board which would cost you about $10 on ebay, you can plug the interface board into the hard drive on the 2.5" connection side, and plug a standard IDE cable into it on teh 3.5" side, then plug an extra P connector into the interface board to power the laptop hard drive.

Then you coudl access it as a slave drive as long as the drive itself does not have issues and your bios will see it.

*** I have an old 20MB Hard Drive from an 8088XT that I had over 20 years ago and although it is IDE and spins up, and the BIOS see's it for the correct specs, the data is garbled in the Windows XP Pro world. Yet you boot the system off that drive and it will run DOS, and Cobol and GW-Basic etc.... You shouldnt hit this issue since you are not trying to access a file system that is very old like me in which I believe the OS on my 20MB HD is DOS 2.11

[caHarkness]

Well, if I get one, (a LPT cable, printer cable, right?)
how would the computers act if I connected them and
ran "direct connection" on my Windows 95 PC and setup
the host through Windows XP.. Would I see my notebook's
hardrive in My Computer.. or just shared files.. err what?
Thanks.

[caHarkness]

Okay, I got a LPT cable.. and even googled
help on how to network with Direct Cable Connections..
Sadly It did not work.. I have tried XP as Host and Win95
as the guest.. (even v.versa) no luck!

If someone has suggestions.. please
feel free to respond. I would really like advice
at this point. =)

[patio]

Are both machines in the same workgroup ? ?

[caHarkness]

Correct me If I am wrong,
but I don't belive that you'd
have to make sure they are
in the same workgroup. -.-;

I also have tried that.. no luck.
Even tried MS Virtual PC.. using
Windows 95 and same feature.

-.-;
However I have got the floppy
drive to work part of the time..
So I have been able to transfer
smaller programs..

Even QBX. =)