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USB to USB file transfer from PC to PC

Forum Storage : General Storage - USB to USB file transfer from PC to PC

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cduval04   05-03-2009 at 11:32:25 PM

Hey, I bought this on ebay

it is a male to male usb data transfer cable. I know it is one of those cheapies from china, but I havent had bad luck with those type of things, you just cant expect to get detailed instructions or help with it.

So I know it isnt an easy transfer cable, but this web site quotes that you dont HAVE to have an easy transfer cable in the following paragraph:
"While any USB to USB data cable available on eBay would do the job, you may want to invest in the Easy transfer cables that can transfer data from Windows XP-based computer to the PC running Windows Vista using Windows Easy Transfer program."
and that you can use any old male to male transfer cable. So I plug it in, and it turns out it is NOT plug and play. nothing happens when I plug it in.

So my question is, could someone give me a step my step (if possible) on how to transfer data (just files) from on pc to another with a generic usb male to male cable?

I have vista and xp computers in my house, I tried connecting the cable to 2 vista machines, then 2 xp machines, then one of each, but nothing happened on any of them.

thanks!


Message edited by cduval04 on 05-03-2009 at 11:55:16 PM
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852258   10-03-2009 at 11:59:47 PM

It's very simple.
All you have to do it plug in both USBs & go to "My Computer" on either of the PCs & the storage device should automatically appear. It's as simple as that.

To find your files in XP just navigate here
Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\ "*ACCOUNT NAME" \Desktop

My Documents
C:\Documents and Settings\ "*ACCOUNT NAME" \My Documents

Internet Explorers Bookmarks
C:\Documents and Settings\ "*ACCOUNT NAME" \Favorites
Note: the drive letter may vary. ex; C:\ D:\ E:\ F:\ etc.


In vista it's a little different. I think the folder is called "User" or "Users" in vista. Just navigate to that folder & everything else should be somewhat the same. Except pictures folder music, videos etc. are now all outside the documents folder.

Good luck


Message edited by 852258 on 10-04-2009 at 12:03:13 AM
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Bronze Storage badge sminlal   10-04-2009 at 02:43:14 AM

USB is NOT a peer-to-peer protocol, so you can't just connect two USB "host" ports (the kind that are on your computer) together with a plain cable. If the cable you have isn't a "smart" cable that looks like a "device" to both computers, it's probably not going to work no matter what software you use.

Reply to sminlal
Jonmor68   10-04-2009 at 10:53:46 PM

The cost of external USB drives is so low now that may be better off to invest in one those to transfer the data and have a backup at the same time.
If the cost of the transfer cable is anything like it is here, around AUD$60 it's not much more for for a drive.

Reply to Jonmor68
RetiredChief   10-05-2009 at 03:53:32 AM

On problem with a using a regular USB -> USB cable. You would be connecting the +5V of computer 1 to +5 V of computer 2. Something tells me this is a No-No. I think the transfer cables are an open on the +5 V lines.

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