Parallel Laplink - XP to 3.11...

[2cvbloke]

Well, this is a grey area for me, I've never done anything like Laplink connections before, and these days it's prehistoric technology!!!

Still, I want to connect my ancient Compaq Contura 4/25 laptop to my XP desktop, so I can move files and programs about between the two, I have a laplink cable here (though it is untested as yet), I have my two computers, and that's as far as I know (well, aside from actually plugging them in!!!), after that I'm pretty much stumped...

Oh, and the laptop is too old to have any network adaptors or anything attached, no PCMCIA slot, no modem, and definitely no USB!!! Just Serial, Parallel, Power, PS/2 and VGA... O-Ha

 

[Low Profile]

Hyperterminal will allow you to transfer files though your RS232 (null modem lead required).
Start>All Programs>accessories>communications>Hyperterminal

 

[Channel Hopper]

Hyperterminal will allow you to transfer files though your RS232 (null modem lead required).
Start>All Programs>accessories>communications>Hyperterminal

Only if the modern PC has RS232. but yes, it will work.

 

[2cvbloke]

The PC has a serial port, but I haven't got a Null Modem serial cable to hand (I know I have one somewhere, but that's stuffed away in a box somewhere), wouldn't a Parallel cable be faster? Especially one wired up for LapLink stuff?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Now you would have to find a parallel link cable, not common these days.

 

[2cvbloke]

Now you would have to find a parallel link cable, not common these days.

I have one, hence the question...

Bought it on Saturday, been looking at buying it on and off over the past year (it lived in a box of random stuff that the fella on the market always has), but finally had reason to do so, I was there to buy something else, but completely forgot what it was...

Still, I have the parallel cable, just needs some intelligence to make it work...

 

[Channel Hopper]

I have one, hence the question...

Bought it on Saturday, been looking at buying it on and off over the past year (it lived in a box of random stuff that the fella on the market always has),

Ah, it may not be a link cable, unless it was specifically made up as one. There are plenty of Iomega and scanner link cables out there, but whilst they fit into the parallel port, they are different in wiring.

 

[2cvbloke]

Ah, it may not be a link cable, unless it was specifically made up as one. There are plenty of Iomega and scanner link cables out there, but whilst they fit into the parallel port, they are different in wiring.

It has "laplink.com" moulded into the plugs at each end, so I'd guess that it was indeed a laplink wired cable...

And it's bright yellow too, just thought I'd add that...

 

[Channel Hopper]

It has "laplink.com" moulded into the plugs at each end, so I'd guess that it was indeed a laplink wired cable...

And it's bright yellow too, just thought I'd add that...

Hmmmm

_http://www.nullmodem.com/LapLink.htm


'Note - There are a number of cable diagrams for LapLink parallel cables on the web, many of which are contradictory.'

 

[2cvbloke]

Hmmmm

_http://www.nullmodem.com/LapLink.htm


'Note - There are a number of cable diagrams for LapLink parallel cables on the web, many of which are contradictory.'

oookay, that complicates things, as the plugs are moulded, I can't crack them open to count the wires, but that said,t he cable's pretty thin compared to regular parallel cables, but, yeah, this is getting confusing...

 

[Channel Hopper]

Well, just try it and see.

 

[2cvbloke]

Hmmm, well, looking at the cables Laplink sell, they say that the parallel cable is only compatible with 95-onwards, 3.11 isn't supported...

Oh well, looks like I'll have to stick '95 onto floppies (if I can find it) and stick it on the Compaq and see if I can Dual-boot it with 3.11 and 95 together...