Is there an easy way to transfer files from PC A to PC B on the same network?

[wizard]

@Chelsea80

Check if XP Ethernet device is disabled

Check #1
-boot XP
Start>Control Panel>Network Connections
In the LAN or High Speed Internet section:
-check if the Ethernet device is Disabled

example showing a Ethernet device disabled

xp-ethernet-disabled.jpg (16.42 KiB) Viewed 835 times

wizard

[Clarity]

My observations:

When this started it my involvement was always about achieving file transfers "without installing anything". This ability has been around in various OSes since 1994. Along with MS's implementaion, SAMBA has been a phenom in Linux-Unix since 1994.

In my historical 4 Puppy developers have been involved to bring the use of SMB file transfer to be as ever-present in forum distros as FTP since a dozen years ago. They appear to be the very first to bring SAMBA integration into the forum distros arena. And for years now, most forum distros deliver it running OOTB available upon pristine desktop arrivals and beyond on reboots.

In my assistance the PRIMARY upspoken theme has been to create a common folder for which 2 PCs could freely exchange information (without installing anything).

IF anyone got any other idea of what I was directing, the point was missing. My attempt was

• to know what was available using a PUP to share a folder for common use (without installing anything). This is known in the industry as the server PC.

• to know what is available using a PC to see that folder in their filemanagers (without installing anything). This is known in the industry as the client PC's use.

The OVER-RIDING theme to grasp is that we set up a common folder for which each PC can freely exchange information.

This notion here was to use his PUP to turn on its facility for sharing a folder. Then to focus on getting XP to turn on its ability to see the folder shared. AGAIN without installing anything on any unit in his home network.

The OP started and got SAMBA sharing a folder in the beginning. AFterwhich he ran into the necessary understanding on how to get XP to see the network folder. While I was away, @wizard stepped forward in directions.

Over time, he has been tremendously helpful in getting @Chelsea80 to set up an arrangement for files to be exchanged, COMMONLY!

There is a LOT of discussion over "which way" and "which should" in this very simple concept of a common place to exchange information among LAN PCs; especially since this concept has been ever-present in society for over 2 decades.

So I offer this in thought in todays world of OSes on a LAN. This comes with the underlying understanding that this is done without installing anything.

• Any PUP can share a folder for others to user over the network. Any MAC or MS PC can as well. And Unix, too.

• Any PC can use their built-in client to exchange information to/from the shared folder.

• A user has his/her choice of whether they want their PC to share folders or not via their server feature(s).

• A user has his/her choice of whether they want their PC to access folders or not via their client feature(s).

They should be led, when initially helping, to understand that there is no installation that occurs ... rather just that we will help them to see which feature to turn on to house a folder and what to turn on to access a folder.

I am saying this as this discussion of which way "A"-way/"B"-way is unnecessary and unimportant if WE approach this with understanding we set up a common place to share/exchange information AND that the common place can be see by all LAN parties involved.

Again
This I hope this is clear in understanding. And this is accomplished without installing anything, as was first proposed.

[rcrsn51]

I have just two more words to say about this issue: Maslow's Hammer

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

As requested, with Ethernet cable Win XP > Modem connected.
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Control Panel_1.jpg (60.57 KiB) Viewed 800 times

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Network and Internet Connections_2.jpg (64.71 KiB) Viewed 800 times

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Network Connections_3.jpg (55.28 KiB) Viewed 800 times

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As you can see, no LAN option.

A gentle reminder that if your idea uses the internet in ANY way then we should stop now.

[wizard]

@Chelsea80

uses the internet in ANY way.

Nope

Check #2
Start>Control Panel>
-click: Switch to Classic View
System>Hardware>Device Manager>Network adapters

xp-ethernet.jpg (42.39 KiB) Viewed 752 times

You should see a device for the Ethernet adapter
-choose it
-right click
-choose: properties
Send me a screen shoot of that window

wizard

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

OK, so I don't have the Ethernet adaptor option in the Device Manager window so I chose the Ethernet Controller option.

Ethernet Controller.jpg (94.32 KiB) Viewed 731 times

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So I guess the next step is to Reinstall Driver (I haven't taken it yet). I have the original Win XP Pro install CD.

I clicked on Reinstall Driver... and got this:

Hardware Update.jpg (39.72 KiB) Viewed 731 times

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What is your take on the Linux NTFS driver being used on Win XP?

[wizard]

@Chelsea80

OK, the previous owner disabled the Ethernet device by uninstalling the driver. When you reinstall the driver you will be connected to the internet unless we first block that with another method.

Send me the make and model of the laptop, model may be on a tag on the bottom of the case.

wizard

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

IBM ThinkPad - lenovo T60

The engraved information on the case bottom does not give a Model Number.

A stick on label on the case bottom has this information:

Type 1951-FE6 S/N L3-LKL237 07/06

No other information anywhere! Well done ThinkPad (not).

My research shows:

Model number for serial number L3- LKL237

]Unfortunately, based on the information provided in the search results, it is not possible to definitively determine the exact model number for a ThinkPad T60 laptop with the serial number L3-LKL237.

The key points are:

The "L3" prefix indicates it was a 2007 model year T60.

Common base model numbers for the T60 included 8744, 8745, 8746, with potential suffixes denoting specific configurations.

However, there is no clear mapping provided between specific serial number formats like L3-LKL237 and the corresponding model numbers.

Lenovo's support databases may have been purged of older serial numbers from 2006/2007, making a direct lookup impossible.

Summary:

While we can infer this was likely a base 14" or 15" T60 model from 2007 with a model number like 8744 or similar, the exact number cannot be pinpointed from just the serial number L3-LKL237 due to the lack of data in Lenovo's databases for that older serial range. The available information is insufficient to identify the precise model designation.

Sorry, best I can do.

[wizard]

@Chelsea80

This file will disable the web after we fix the Ethernet

web-disable.cmd.gz

remove fake .gz

(159 Bytes) Downloaded 17 times

Download file and copy it into the XP computer folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
"user" will be your XP username
-reboot XP so program runs

Computer B (XP)
-create a folder: c:\drivers

Computer A (Puppy)
-Download this file
https://thinkpads.com/support/Thinkpad- ... ra26ww.exe
-copy file to XP computer folder: c:\drivers
-run: c:\drivers\7kra26ww.exe
This should install the Ethernet driver
-reboot XP
-in terminal, run: ipconfig
You should now see a IP address

If you do, open a terminal and type: ping yahoo.com
It should reply:
Destination host unreachable

wizard

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

Now, lots of questions before I continue. Bet you wished you hadn't taken on 'Teaching an old dog new tricks'.

web-disable.cmd.gz
remove fake .gz
(159 Bytes) Not downloaded yet

Download file and copy it into the XP computer folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

I have a All Users folder:

All Users - Startup.jpg (39.01 KiB) Viewed 660 times

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And a Default User folder:

Default User - Startup.jpg (32.24 KiB) Viewed 660 times

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Which one do I use?
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"user" will be your XP username

Is 'user name' the same as the System Name?
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Computer B (XP)
-create a folder: c:\drivers

There is already a Drivers folder under C:\

Drivers.jpg (13.54 KiB) Viewed 660 times

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Should I use this?
.

This file will disable the web after we fix the Ethernet

web-disable.cmd.gz

Did you write web-disable.cmd.gz ? Or is it a go-get one from somewhere?
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Computer A (Puppy)
-Download this file
https://thinkpads.com/support/Thinkpad- ... ra26ww.exe

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I notice the above full address has /mobiles/ in it. So I am just checking that it and web-disable.cmd.gz will be OK because Win XP is not a test PC and if it goes t*ts up then I'm in the s**t.

Being frank now, no offence intended, I hope you will understand.

[wizard]

@Chelsea80

Win XP is not a test PC and if it goes t*ts up then I'm in the s**t.
Being frank now, no offence intended, I hope you will understand.

Let's start with this. Anytime you install, uninstall or change configurations on a MS Windows computer there is some element of risk. Compared to Linux, Windows is a little fragile.

If you are completely dependent on your XP system to do a job, then it might be best to stop here. Additionally, you are relying on a 16-18 year old computer not to fail. The average life of a HDD is 3-5 years.

Not having a failure recovery strategy (backup image that can be restored), puts you on thin ice.

You might want to consider trying to migrate the XP work over to Puppy programs, i.e, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets can be done in LibreOffice which can both read and write those formats.

Now for your other questions.

web-disable.cmd.gz, written by me, you must rename it to: "web-disable.cmd" before use. Just click the link to download.

You can put it in: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, probably better there anyway

There is already a Drivers folder under C:\

Use it.

I notice the above full address has /mobiles/

This is an official Thinkpad site and "mobiles" refers to laptops.

If you want to continue using your current system (booting Computer B from USB) then we should change the share location to avoid the issue @rcrsn51 raised. Let me know and I'll guide you through that.

wizard

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

Thank you for all of your answers.

I am going to have a very hard think about everything, so it might be a little while before I come back on this matter to let you know.

In the meantime you can now 'and breathe', and relax from the sterling work you have given to me.

Cheers.

[Chelsea80]

@wizard

There is me thinking my question in the first post was original. Apparently this has been asked by various posters in the past, also the wider community.

I have done quite a bit of research on this Forum and on the Old Puppy Forum. Other sources have also been pursued.

The way I have been doing the file(s) transfer, as inconvenient and laborious as it is to me, seems to be the safest all round. So my decision is to continue in this way.

This has NOT been a failed exercise. By being taken this far the information that I have gained will be ‘banked’.

Although this Forum can get a little fractious at times, when help is asked for it is gladly given. When that help is given it doesn’t stop until an acceptable working solution is found. This can, as in this case, be a lengthy process. I am much appreciative to all but in particular to you for the continued support you gave throughout.