Inter/laplnk cable

I want to connect a PC and a laptop together using laplink/interlink. I want to do this through the parallel printer port on both machines. Can I use any male>male parallel cable or modified printer cable, or does it have to be specifically designed for this purpose?

Yes it is a special cable. Windows 95's help system has the pinout, not sure if later versions do. Just look up 'Direct Cable Connection'.

--T

Ah, circuit diagrams, my one true foe! I'll have a proper look when this laptop arrives, It runs windows 95. Can these cables be bought, or is their an easier direct cable connection between 98/XP to 95?

I think they can still be found at most computer stores. Ya might even find one on eBay.

--T

go on get a soldering iron out, the diagram for a laplink parallel cable is hardly taxing!!!! just 8 or 9 wires, I've never seen one for sale though (though I NEVER go into PC world), it's a bit odd it kind of crosses over the data and handshaking lines.

you could use laplink in serial mode, it just needs a null modem cable (useful anyway), which you can buy, or just wire up 2 9 pin Ds, pin 5 (ground) straight through, and pins 2 and 3 (transmit & receive) crossed. newer versions of laplink (post 1990 ish!) keep speeding the connection up until errors occur, then back off a bit, it's quite fast. but don't expect to transfer 10 GB without growing a beard.

Nig.

and there's always the cross-over network cable (no hub required for 2 pcs)

Sooner or later, you'll probably need the serial cable. Try finding a six-headed cable, they don't cost much these days.

www.cablesonline.com

They have any of these configurations mentioned. I use a straight cable with a null modem adapter when I need it.