Below is a step-by-step instructions for setting up direct cable connection in Windows 95 and/or Windows 98. For these steps to work properly you must have a Null Modem Cable, which can be purchased at a local retail store.
Your Null Modem Cable must be connected directly to each of the computers you plan to connect to, and you cannot have a Serial device currently connected to your computer, considering the port is going to be used for the Direct Cable connection.
Ensure that your Serial Ports are enabled in CMOS Setup. See our CMOS page for additional information on CMOS and information on getting into the CMOS setup.
For Direct Cable connection to work you must fist install the software used for the communication.
To install Direct Cable Connection click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Add Remove Programs / Click the Windows Setup Tab / Double-click the communications icon / Check the Direct Cable connection box.
If this box is already checked, it is recommended that you uncheck the box and then place the check back in the box to ensure that the complete program is installed into the computer. Once completely installed, reboot the computer.
Once back in windows click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Network / Click the button File and Print Sharing.
In File and print sharing Check the box "I want to be able to give others access to my files" also while in this window enable Print sharing. Click Ok, if Windows attempts to locate the drivers but is not able to, do this two times and reboot the computer again to ensure these settings are updated.
Once back into Windows, double-click My Computer / Click on the drive you wish to share your information on. Usually this would be Drive C: / Once the Properties window for the drive double-clicked on is open double-click the Sharing Tab / Choose the option for Shared As / Ensure a name is entered in Share Name / Click the apply button and reboot the computer to ensure the changes have taken affect.
Once the above steps have been completed you must then decide which computer would be host and which computer would be the guest. Once this is determined, first setup the Host computer by Clicking on Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection.
In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Host, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / if so desired specify a password / Click Next your computer will then wait for the guest computer to send signal to the Host computer.
Once the above steps have been completed, for the second computer in setting up and configuring the Direct Cable connection (other than step 6) Click Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection. In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Guest, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / Click Next and the computer will begin to look for the Host computer.
Once the Host and the Guest have been setup you should establish a connection; at this point you will be able to browse the hard drive that has been shared through Network neighborhood.
Additional information:
See document CH000600 for additional information and methods of copying information from one computer to another.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Getting into Windows Safe Mode
Windows XP users
If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration. Additional information about this mode can be found on document CH000626.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.
Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.
Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration. Additional information about this mode can be found on document CH000626.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.
Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.
Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Remote Desktop Connection
How to use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC)
If your home computer has Windows XP Pro (or Media Center Edition) installed, you can access it from any other computer running Windows from anywhere in the world using Remote Desktop Connection. Some versions of Windows, like 98, Me, 2000 and require software available from Microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
There are a few steps required to configure your home network to accept connections from outside computers and additional security measures required to keep your PC safe from people who might be scanning for computers with RDC installed.
Set A Complex Password
Remote Desktop relies on Windows XP passwords for login. If you don't currently have a password configured for your account, or if your password is something simple, change it. At minimum, your password should be 10-12 characters long, with a combination of numbers, letters and special characters. This password is no longer just designed to keep out your roommate or family members, it's going to keep the entire Internet from accessing your computer.
Change the password for your Windows user account from the Users section of the Control Panel.
Enable Remote Desktop Connections
The first thing to do is enable Remote Desktop on the machine you want to connect to. Open System Properties either by right clicking the My Computer icon in the Start menu and choosing properties or Windows Key + Pause/Break on your keyboard. Click the Remote tab in System Properties and check the box next to Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
You can verify RDC is working by connecting from any other computer on your local network.
Configure Your Router
If your router still has the factory default password, change it. While it's unlikely anyone will find your router on the Internet, not changing the password is asking to have it hacked. A strong password of 10-16 characters is advised.
The next step in the procedure is to configure your router to allow inbound connections to Remote Desktop on your local computer. This requires mapping a port on your router to a port on your local computer. The process for forwarding a port varies depending on who made your router, but in general there are a similar series of steps. Linksys refers to the port forwarding page as Applications & Gaming, most other routers refer to port forwarding options as Virtual Servers. To forward a router port your need to configure the following details:
Application or Description field: RDC
Port Range Start: 3389
Port Range End: 3389
Protocol Type: Both (or TCP if a both option isn't available)
IP Address of your PC: Type ipconfig at the command line if you don't know this
Enable: check a box to enable the port forward
For security reasons, if you don't travel often, disable this router port when you return from your trip.
Change the Remote Desktop Listening Port
For added security of your RDC setup, you can change the default port Remote Desktop Connection listens on from the host computer. This prevents detection by anyone doing a routine scan for RDC. This is also convenient if you want to connect to more than one RDC computer remotely. For instance, I have 3 computers that never leave home. By default, RDC watches the same port on all computers, which means I'll either get a conflict of some kind or I won't be able to connect at all. An alternative is to redirect RDC traffic to each computer.
You can read more about the process in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 306759
To change the listening port, you need to modify the Windows Registry. Locate the appropriate Registry key using Regedit.exe:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
From the Edit menu, click Modify and then click Decimal. Choose a new port number. In general, choosing a number between 49152 and 65535 will avoid conflict with any other apps on your system, but you could theoretically use any port on the system. Once you set the port number you also need to configure your router to pass the specified port to your computer.
To access your computer remotely, instead of typing just the IP address, you need to type the IP address followed by the port number like this: 192.168.1.1:50001
Test Your Connection
The real trick is you need to leave home to test your configuration, so you don't really know it works until you are in the field. You need to know the IP address provided by your ISP to make the connection (Find your IP address).
Visit a local coffee shop with WiFi to test the connection. Launch the Remote Desktop Connection client from Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications.
Enter your home IP address and cross your fingers. If all went well, you'll see the Windows Login screen.
If your home computer has Windows XP Pro (or Media Center Edition) installed, you can access it from any other computer running Windows from anywhere in the world using Remote Desktop Connection. Some versions of Windows, like 98, Me, 2000 and require software available from Microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
There are a few steps required to configure your home network to accept connections from outside computers and additional security measures required to keep your PC safe from people who might be scanning for computers with RDC installed.
Set A Complex Password
Remote Desktop relies on Windows XP passwords for login. If you don't currently have a password configured for your account, or if your password is something simple, change it. At minimum, your password should be 10-12 characters long, with a combination of numbers, letters and special characters. This password is no longer just designed to keep out your roommate or family members, it's going to keep the entire Internet from accessing your computer.
Change the password for your Windows user account from the Users section of the Control Panel.
Enable Remote Desktop Connections
The first thing to do is enable Remote Desktop on the machine you want to connect to. Open System Properties either by right clicking the My Computer icon in the Start menu and choosing properties or Windows Key + Pause/Break on your keyboard. Click the Remote tab in System Properties and check the box next to Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
You can verify RDC is working by connecting from any other computer on your local network.
Configure Your Router
If your router still has the factory default password, change it. While it's unlikely anyone will find your router on the Internet, not changing the password is asking to have it hacked. A strong password of 10-16 characters is advised.
The next step in the procedure is to configure your router to allow inbound connections to Remote Desktop on your local computer. This requires mapping a port on your router to a port on your local computer. The process for forwarding a port varies depending on who made your router, but in general there are a similar series of steps. Linksys refers to the port forwarding page as Applications & Gaming, most other routers refer to port forwarding options as Virtual Servers. To forward a router port your need to configure the following details:
Application or Description field: RDC
Port Range Start: 3389
Port Range End: 3389
Protocol Type: Both (or TCP if a both option isn't available)
IP Address of your PC: Type ipconfig at the command line if you don't know this
Enable: check a box to enable the port forward
For security reasons, if you don't travel often, disable this router port when you return from your trip.
Change the Remote Desktop Listening Port
For added security of your RDC setup, you can change the default port Remote Desktop Connection listens on from the host computer. This prevents detection by anyone doing a routine scan for RDC. This is also convenient if you want to connect to more than one RDC computer remotely. For instance, I have 3 computers that never leave home. By default, RDC watches the same port on all computers, which means I'll either get a conflict of some kind or I won't be able to connect at all. An alternative is to redirect RDC traffic to each computer.
You can read more about the process in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 306759
To change the listening port, you need to modify the Windows Registry. Locate the appropriate Registry key using Regedit.exe:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
From the Edit menu, click Modify and then click Decimal. Choose a new port number. In general, choosing a number between 49152 and 65535 will avoid conflict with any other apps on your system, but you could theoretically use any port on the system. Once you set the port number you also need to configure your router to pass the specified port to your computer.
To access your computer remotely, instead of typing just the IP address, you need to type the IP address followed by the port number like this: 192.168.1.1:50001
Test Your Connection
The real trick is you need to leave home to test your configuration, so you don't really know it works until you are in the field. You need to know the IP address provided by your ISP to make the connection (Find your IP address).
Visit a local coffee shop with WiFi to test the connection. Launch the Remote Desktop Connection client from Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications.
Enter your home IP address and cross your fingers. If all went well, you'll see the Windows Login screen.
Copying from Desktop to Laptop
How can i copy files from my windows xp desktop to my windows 98 laptop?
You can network the PC's together with one of three types of cables, a crossover ethernet cable or a usb cable, or a seriial port cable, designed for the same thing. My favorite new device is a usb thumb drive. If the laptop has no cdrw drive, ethernet port or usb port or serial port, then your pretty much limited to floppy. If you have one of the above ports, then hook up the appropriate cable, and run the network connection wizard on both computers.
You can network the PC's together with one of three types of cables, a crossover ethernet cable or a usb cable, or a seriial port cable, designed for the same thing. My favorite new device is a usb thumb drive. If the laptop has no cdrw drive, ethernet port or usb port or serial port, then your pretty much limited to floppy. If you have one of the above ports, then hook up the appropriate cable, and run the network connection wizard on both computers.
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