Here is a copy of a memo my daughter prepared...hope it helps. I too was frustrated for many moons, now it works great. Use a parallel cable, tho...faster.
1.Decide which will be the “host” and which the “guest”. The guest will acquire data from the host.
2.DO THIS ON BOTH COMPUTERS.
3.Set up both computers to make sure “direct cable conection” is installed.
4.Click Program Files/Accessories/Communications/Direct Cable Connection. If not there, go into Control Panel/Add/Remove Programs/Windows Setup/Communications and check Dialup Networking and Direct Cable Connection (they will probably be installed). Do this on both computers.
5.Next be sure the protocols are selected. In Control Panel, select Network.
6.On the Configuration tab, select Add
7.Click Client, then click Add
8.In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Networks client box, client “Client for Microsoft Networks”, then click OK.
9.Don’t restart computer.
10.While in Configuration tab, click Add, click Service, click Add.
11. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Networks Services box, click “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.” Click OK. Click OK.
12.Do not restart computer yet.
13.Still in Configuration tab, click Add, click Protocol, click Add.
14.In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Networks Services box, click a protocol. Be sure “IPX/XPS” and “TCP/IP” are in the window. Restart the computer when prompted.
15.Go back into Network, select tab Identification. Write down computer name. You will need this to access whichever is the host computer.
16.In Configuration tab, click File Sharing button and check both boxes.
17.When you have decided on the host computer (let’s say the desktop”, go into Windows Explorer and select the folder that you want to access with the laptop. Right click on the folder, select Sharing and complete the dialog box as to the name of the folder and the degree of access.
18.Click Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications/Direct Cable Connection (if you will use this feature aften, create a shortcut on the desktop). In the dialog box, make sure that the Host is using a parallel connector on LPT1.
19.Do the same on the guest, making sure the same type of connector is used.
20.On the guest computer (notebook) you will asked for the name of the host computer. Enter the name (which is found in the Identication tab of the Network dialog box).
21.Be sure the parallel cable is connected to both computers, and access “Direct Cable Connection” on both.
22.The guest computer should show a screen bearing the name of the host computer, containing all folders you have tagged to be shared.
23.Open Windows Explorer on the guest computer (the notebook) and set the window to small. Drag and drop the folder from the screen bearing the host’s name to the window with Windows Explorer at the spot you desire. The folder will be copied from the desktop to the notebook. If you wish, you can open the folder and copy selected files from it. Folders that have been tagged for sharing have a little symbol on the folder icon.
