USB-USB DCC Link Problem
-------------------------------

13-Nov-05

In a nutshell:

Unable to connect old "Win 98SE DELL Optiplex DeskTop" to a friend's old
"Win XP

Home Edition (SP2-updated) Fujitsu LifeBook" (Notebook) via USB 1.1 jacks
and a
recently purchased "NetLink" type "HE110" USB-USB cable with an oval (Almond
Joy)
matchbox-size adapter device in center. Came w/a universal install CD
containing
many folders w/drivers for many similar devices. Both comps have latest Win
updates.

Tried all for 2 weeks now but no luck. Need step-by-step instructions for any

possible OS config rqts. All we want to do is transfer large nr. of files
between
our 2 comps and keep them updated between us. For various reasons (the system
limitations, convenience, economy, etc.), this seems the optimal solution in
our
case and we prefer to pursue it rather than any alternative - and probably
die

trying (judging from "Chuck's" ominous reply re: 'home network 101', I feel
the
latter might yet be the case). What a shame. Such an elegant, economical
solution -
yet so elusive.

=====================================

Supplementary:

Don't want burden anyone w/extra reading but including some background here,
just
in case it's needed - and in case other readers have similar predicament.

I suspect 1 of 2 things: (1) bad device or software (1%); (2) cockpit
problem (99%
- which is why need correct setup procedure, above all else):


1. Device looks genuine enough; identical to some found depicted on Net;
quite
similar to popular 'PC-Linq' cable I learned about on the Net from links in
this
forum. There are 2 setups available - net & direct link. Tried both, many
times.


2. Device appears made in China but no mfr or URL given in pamphlet or CD.
Info
v. brief, in mangled English; simple but w/o any substance - no folder or
driver
name given nor any info on possible Win setup rqts.

Problem: my last experience w/ this sort of thing was in old days, w/DOS
parallel/

serial cable hookups using 'Interlnk' & 'Intersvr' - which took all of about
5
minutes; an essentially brainless, painless and costless operation.

So it was that I thought this was going to be the ideal solution. In a
nutshell,
here are the instructions: "find and run setup.exe" at both comps, plug in
cable,

click new DeskTop icon (GeneLInk 02.106A) and have fun. Don't believe me?
Ask me
for a copy of the pdf. - the whole 1/4 page of it. Also can send device png
image.

From what I could ultimately decipher, the 'direct-link' option is essentially
OS independent - 'though a 'MAC' driver is included.


3. Drivers not to difficult to ID from folder names and scrutiny of file
guts.
Looks like "Genesys" software. Each comp comes up with proper (split-pane)
interface screen, but remote unit pane always empty.

Seller no help but recommends I set up "share" at each comp, which I did -
but
indubitably incorrectly. I should say, I'm in Malaysia - and am quite
unfamiliar
with Windows DCC or 'network' hookups.


4. Windows HELP (at both comps) is marginal on USB link issue - and the
other stuff
is currently still over my head. Couldn't really find anything usable or
sensible
on a simple, direct USB-USB hookup. Did learn quite a few things from
"Chuck's" and
"Jack's" replies to other users in the forum and by following up on their
links.

Still working on it.

In fact, been here several times, browsing for solutions and downloading
many of
the related-thread replies and links, plus tons of invaluable data from
"PChucks"

site and others (sorry Chuck, the sign-in link did not work for me). All of
this
will take some time to read and digest.


5. When try the wizzard setup thing on this old Win XP notebook for DCC,
there was
no mention of USB - only parallel, serial and ifr port (maybe used wrong
wizard or
went wrong way?). The only way in or out of this Notebook, BTW, is via 2
USB jacks
and 1 each TEL and LAN jack. No Floppy; no CD.

Before anyone suggests it - though it might ultimately come in handy - we
don't
really want to go the LAN, external CD or ext'l HDD routes. There are several
reasons for this - which I won't clutter up this already bloated message with.

-------------------------------------------

Silly Questions (to any MVP or thread visitor who might care to comment):

- Wonder if one couldn't accomplish same via DOS (and the old 'Interlnk'
utility) &
gender-bender-adapter connector, plus passive USB crossover cable. Is this
possible?
Don't know the details but if USB is a serial port (as w/the 9-pin com port)
then,
potentially, why not? One problem tho' might be a change to short DOS file
names.

- Let me ask another dumb question while I'm at it: would it be (or could it
be)
possible to just directly communicate between and access files at either
system
via tel extension cable between the two dial-up modems? Or, perhaps, via
modified
(crossover?) tel cable, maybe with small interface device in center, like as
with
this 'NetLink' USB cable? Or are there any modem cards around that might
have this
as a software-switchable/controllable built-in option?

- One final query in regard to the DCC device software: would there be any
software
(or device plus software) out there with a "file-comparison" feature - as w/
the old
XTREEGOLD DOS File Manager utility? This allowed instant (1 second)
comparison of a
large group of files in one folder or drive to a group in another folder or
drive,
to indicate which files are identical or different in some way. This would
help
greatly with what we are trying to do (I don't believe there's any wholly
equivalent feature in Explorer, by the way. Would be nice).

---------------------------------------------

Whether or not the above are sane options, am hoping someone could provide a
simple,

straightforward, "step-by-step" (<-- emphasise) set of instructions for
configuring
Windows correctly at above-noted comps. Transfer speed is not really an
issue.

In any case, would cetainly be grateful for any useful info whatever on the
subject.

Sorry if I've missed it but, so far, searching for and browsing thru related
forum
queries and replies did not as yet uncover any 'step-by-step' instructions,
as such,
for this particular type of case - tho' there was quite a bit of v. useful
relevant

info.

As earlier noted, still have to organize and read thru the rest of the data
I've
downloaded and may yet, in due time (weeks?, months?), hit the jackpot.

Thanx in advance to anyone who can help in meanwhile,

Ted...

PS - I wonder, since one has to sign in to this forum with one's hotmail
address,
is there a direct link to our e-mail in here somewhere - so no need to sign in
twice? Or maybe I could try just enter 'www.hotmail.com' and jump right in?
Must
try that...
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Ted...