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JazzCatDRP · Oct 31, 2004, 08:41 PM

Hey all,
I'm curious about how tricky it is to trade files and whatnot between a mac and a PC. My significant other "needs" a Windows machine, so we've had a desktop PC for a while. I was recently able to satisfy my urge to get back with a mac while not killing my pocketbook by getting a Lombard PB. My problem is this: My desktop PC has a CD Burner on it, whereas my Lombard does not. There's a lot of times that I need to take files from my mac and burn them to a CD but have no way of doing that. What do I need to do to trade files to a Windows-based machine? Compatibility is no issue, as I don't need to run anything, just temporarily move them to the PC to burn to a CD. Thanks all!

jamil5454 · Oct 31, 2004, 09:10 PM

If you have a home network you can make a share on the windows machine and then accessing it with your mac. Mac supports windows shares.

JazzCatDRP · Oct 31, 2004, 09:47 PM

Thanks for the response. I don't have a home network. How hard is that to set up. The only computers I've got is the windows PC and my powerbook. Would that be hard to get a home network going with?

mhuie · Oct 31, 2004, 11:20 PM

If all you have is 2 computers, a crossover cable will do. You can then directly link both LAN ports with the cable. Either setup a static IP or let them default to their own IP.

chabig · Oct 31, 2004, 11:36 PM

You don't even need a crossover cable. Any old ethernet cable will work. The Powerbook ethernet port auto senses and adjusts.

Chris

JKT · Nov 1, 2004, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by chabig:
You don't even need a crossover cable. Any old ethernet cable will work. The Powerbook ethernet port auto senses and adjusts.

Chris

Only on recent models - the Lomabard doesn't IIRC.

JazzCatDRP · Nov 1, 2004, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the help. I went to Best Buy and bought something labeled as a "crossover cable" It has RJ45 on it, but on the back has a description showing two "computers with ethernet cards installed" being connected. Is this what I need? I'm waiting approval from you guys before I open it!

chabig · Nov 1, 2004, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by JKT:
Only on recent models - the Lomabard doesn't IIRC.

Oops, I missed the Lombard reference.

Chris

jamil5454 · Nov 1, 2004, 08:59 PM

Yes, this is what you need. If you plan on adding even just 1 more computer to the network, you might just want to get a cheap router. A 10/100 mbps router can be had for under $30. Even better would be to get a wireless router. Bestbuy is selling some fore $70 with a $40 mail-in rebate.

BTW - I thought a crossover cable was necessary because a computer's LAN port doesn't supply power to the line.

JKT · Nov 2, 2004, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by JazzCatDRP:
Thanks for the help. I went to Best Buy and bought something labeled as a "crossover cable" It has RJ45 on it, but on the back has a description showing two "computers with ethernet cards installed" being connected. Is this what I need? I'm waiting approval from you guys before I open it!

All Macs have had built-in ethernet for a looooong, loooong time. In all likelihood, your PC has already got an ethernet card as well, but if it hasn't, it'll be fairly obvious - their won't be an equivalent port on the machine to that on your Mac. The ethernet port is typically labelled with <...>.

mhuie · Nov 2, 2004, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by chabig:
You don't even need a crossover cable. Any old ethernet cable will work. The Powerbook ethernet port auto senses and adjusts.

Chris

Wow, I did not know that! Good to know, thanks!

chabig · Nov 2, 2004, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by mhuie:
Wow, I did not know that! Good to know, thanks!

All Macs sold in the past few years do this. But as was pointed out, there is a point in time a few years ago prior to which they didn't. If in doubt, check Apple's online specs at http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.html

Chris

JazzCatDRP · Nov 2, 2004, 05:32 PM

Alright people, I got everything hooked up. What do I do now? I have zero experience in home networking, so I've got no idea how to set this up software wise! Thanks!

JazzCatDRP · Nov 2, 2004, 10:25 PM

Well, I've managed to get it going I think. The powerbook can read the windows machine just fine. The only problem is that when I try to access the powerbook from the PC, it asks for a password. For the life of me, I cannot figure out whaqt this password is. I've tried every password I can think of, and it's not one of those. What password is it, and how can I change it, or eliminate the need for a password altogether. Thanks!

alphasubzero949 · Nov 2, 2004, 11:24 PM

It's your login password.

JKT · Nov 3, 2004, 05:34 AM

There is a networking between Mac and PCs section in Mac Help (from the Finder) which may help you out.

E.g. search for "Setting up a Windows computer to share files with Mac users", "Connecting to a Mac from a Windows computer" and "I can't connect to a Mac from a Windows computer"

JazzCatDRP · Nov 3, 2004, 02:38 PM

Hmm...this is strange. I tried my login password yesterday, no such luck. Now it's saying "No permission to access resource" today. Any ideas?

macaddict0001 · Nov 3, 2004, 08:57 PM

Maybe its that bug where the pc expects the password to be encrypted but the mac sends it cleartext. you could just turn off requiring a password for filesharing.

JazzCatDRP · Nov 3, 2004, 09:44 PM

Forgive me for being dumb about this macaddict, but how do I do that?

clum · Nov 3, 2004, 11:23 PM

If I understand your original question...you just want a quick way to transfer files from mac to PC. Why not just use a USB jump drive? Quick, compatible, no wires to hassle with and cheap. This has quickly become my medium of choice for moving files around cross platform and between home and work.

I have PC and mac with a wireless network and it can be inconsistent and not worth the hassle IMHO if rarely used. Easiest way with an ethernet cable is to find the IP address assigned to the machine you are trying to connect to and use that to get access.

-Carey