Transfer files from laptop to desktop PC
How do you connect laptop to desktop PC and transfer files fast?

The 15" SXGA LCD of my Dell Inspiron 5150 went dead. Windows XP on the laptop runs fine. External display attached via the laptop's video connector works well too.

Right now, I need to urgently backup files on the laptop's hard disk to PC.

Question 1:
How do you connect laptop to desktop PC? What is the interface that allows fastest file transfer rate? Via serial cable, USB2 or firewire? My desktop PC has a Gigabyte 8IRXP motherboard and housed in a Lianli PC70 case which lets me use pretty any interface available.

Question 2:
However I don't have idea about the looks of serial/USB2/firewire cable I should use to connect my Inspiron to PC. I haven't used serial cable that much. And USB2/firewire cable's connectors on both end varies. Not sure what kind is for this particular job...Anyone could kindly attach pictures of these cables?

Question 3:
Is there such a way where I can connect laptop to PC, and have the laptop's hard disk shown up like slave drive on PC's desktop?
On the Inspiron's hard disk, two partitions one of which has Windows XP.

Questions 4:
Is there special software that make the whole thing easier?

Please enlighten me. Appreciate it!!!

The easiest way would be to creat a local area network (lan) using a router or hub, plug both computers into the hub using cat5 cable (ethernet cable). Then you share all the drives on your laptop by right clicking and choosing share (go through all the security stuff and click ok). Then you go to network places on your desktop and choose show workgroup computers, all the drives from your laptop will appear. Click and drag the files you want to the appropriate drive on your desktop.

Thanks for the tip. I will try that LAN+CAT5 cable method.

As a matter of fact, I have a 6-Pin to 4-Pin FireWire cable that comes with my 3.5"/5.25" USB2/Firewire enclosure. A user from other forum confirmed that once connected via firewire the Inpiron's hard disk will show up in My Computer like slave drive, I will try it with firewire transfer.

Either lan or get a usb cable to connect both of them up to eachother.