can i hook 2 computers together thru the NIC cards?

I'm thinking of reformating the C drive on one of my computers and I'm wondering if it is possible for the purpose of saving some of my pictures,music files etc to hook one computer to the other by just running a CAT5 cable between the ethernet ports of the two computers and just making a folder on the one and saving info on it then after i reformat the other one transfer it back?

Would the same thing be possible buy running a USB cable between the two?
and would there be software required or could it be configured thru the network properties in the control panel?

 

Yes, You can. That actually is the old way we did things when hubs were really costly. Its been awhile, but there are some pretty good documents on the net on how to do file sharing between 2 PC's. Do a search on "file Sharing" or maybe someone here knows of a good site for the information. You could also take the next step and just buy a four port hub. Compusa (as much as I hate that store) has a Netgear 5-port Switch for $9.99 after 2 rebates. Can't beat that!

 

If you don't wish to buy a hub, switch, or router, you can get a "crossover" ethernet cable and go directly from NIC to NIC.

 

May be this can Help: How I connect two computers to exchange files (No Network or Internet Sharing)?

 

a crossover cable would do the job. you can probably get one at your local radioshack. the only ones i ever seen sold were only 10 feet so if you need a longer one just buy an 8 pin ethernet coupler (radioshack also) and connect it to your regular cat5 cable. if you use the coupler, check the ends of the cables and make sure the wiring isnt the same because one end has to be normal and the other has to be crossover in order for them to have connection.

 

i dont know if you know how to set the ip addresses so here it is.

on xp..
right click My Network Places, click properties, right click Local Area Connection, click properties, highlight Internet Protocol(TCP/IP), click properties, click Use The Following Ip Address, type in 192.168.0.2
Xp should automatically put in the subnet for you. it should look like 255.255.255.0
do the same for the other computer except change the last number of the ip address. If the cables are hooked you should have a connection.