Connection through USB Ports

• 1). Obtain a USB transfer cable. These cables are available from many manufacturers at a variety of prices. Choose one the fits your needs. Ensure that it is compatible with your operating system. USB transfer cables have an identical USB plug on either end of the cable. Software is typically stored on a notch along the thinner cable line.
  
  
• 2). Place the computers on a large desk. You should have easy access to both monitors. Insert one plug of the transfer cable into an unused USB port on the first computer. Place the other plug into a USB port on the second computer.
  
  
• 3). Initiate the transfer software. The computers will detect the use of new hardware. Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer files between the two computers. Do not unplug the cable until file transfers are complete.
  
  

Connection through Ethernet Ports

• 1). Purchase a crossover Ethernet cable. This is a special purpose networking cable designed to allow computer-to-computer connectivity without the use of a router (or similar device). Externally, crossover cables are identical to other Ethernet cables, but, internally, wires are numbered differently. Use the identification chart in Resources if you need to identify a crossover cable among a bunch of others.
  
  
• 2). Turn both computers off. Connect one end of the crossover cable into the networking port of the first computer and the other end of the cable to the second computer. Turn on both computers. During the boot process, the computers will refresh networking settings allowing your network settings to detect new devices (the other computer) on the network.
  
  
• 3). Open network locations. On a Windows 7 machine click on the "Start" menu, hover the mouse over "Control Panel," then click on "Network and Internet" and "Network and Sharing Center." From the "Tasks" list, click "View Computers and Devices" and look for the name of the computer connected with the crossover cable. On a Mac computer, click on the "Finder" icon, then click on "Network" and look for the name of the appropriate folder share (the name of the connected computer).
  
  
• 4). Double-click on the name of the connected computer. This will open all of the shared files and folders on the computer. You can drag or copy files from the home computer (the computer you are viewing the network location on) to the computer connected using the crossover cable.