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If my memory serves me correctly you used to be able to crudely network 2 PCs via their RS232 port. Does a simular thing exist with USB? The reason I ask is that I want to avoid a NIC if I can, and I was thinking if I could plug the USB out of a laptop straight into the cars USB, I should be able to happily sit there and update files (songs) and the like.
They sell special usb cables for doing this, as well as some pc's (newer msi boards) have this functionality built in. I even remember seeing them the other day at bestbuy.
RadioShack has them also.
Just saw one today.
you need a usb crossover cable... i got a free copy of laplink gold 10.0 from the cover of APC magazine last month and it is supposed to do this.....you get two windows one for the car drive and one for the pc , and can auto sync folders etc.....
I bought one thinking i could sync my outlook on my lappy with outlook on desktop using Activesync. Nope. Anyways, I got a CompUSA brand. They arent cheap (nor are the radio shack ones)...least they werent 6 months ago. I think mine was like 50+ bucks. Anyways, it works very easily...just plug it in. Create a transfer folder on each machine and drag and drop.
why Avoid NIC?? MUCH CHEAPER just to make a cat5 crossover cable. If you dont know how to make them and for some reason dont think you can learn, you can pick one up at your local comp store/garage for like -10 bucks...Local store, not compusa or bestbuy.
Wireless prices are dropping like crazy now that 2.4 ghz and usb 2.0 are out. All the old 10mbps wireless routers are gonna be real cheap. You'll soon probably be able to get 2 cards and a router for under 150 bucks.
PoBoy
This can be done fairly easily. My friend ordered one from Dell and hooked up his laptop and 300 Mhz. It's fairly cheap and really would rival a regular NIC setup.
Drawbacks: You can only have two pcs on a network (unless you have two cables.) If you need a cheap way to hook up two pcs, go for it.
Just wondering...couldnt you just get a USB Hdd and avoid the laptop in your car altogether?
One word size, my entire setup is going to be piggy backed on my TFT screen. A NIC just takes up too much space. :DQuote:
Originally posted by PoBoy
why Avoid NIC?? MUCH CHEAPER just to make a cat5 crossover cable. If you dont know how to make them and for some reason dont think you can learn, you can pick one up at your local comp store/garage for like -10 bucks...Local store, not compusa or bestbuy.
Rob
PS thanks for the help, I always feel a bit stupid walking into a shop and trying to buy something which may or may not actually exist.