Two-way file sharing with
Direct Cable Connection

The Windows 95/98 Direct Cable Connection was programmed to allow only one way service: one computer as a host and the second as a client. But here's an undocumented trick that will let you set up a two-way file-transfer connection:

  1. Share appropriate resources & folders on first computer. Make this computer the host  and log onto it through the guest machine.
     
  2. After connection is established click "View Host" on the guest machine (to make sure shared resources appear on guest machine’s desktop.)
     
  3. Log off guest machine without closing shared resources on desktop.
     
  4. Reverse host-guest configuration of Direct Cable Connection.
     
  5. Log onto new host from new guest.
     
  6. Use the new "guest" machine to share host resources in the standard fashion.
     
  7. The machine that’s now the "host" will still show the old "guest" resources on its desktop. Double-click on a resource, ignore the message that it’s no longer available, and say "no" to the prompt asking you to use "Dial-Up Networking.
     

This trick allows a user on the new "host" machine to access the resources left over from when it was a guest.

BACK TO TOP | SURVIVAL GUIDE CONTENTS | GETTING ON THE INTERNET | QUIZ