My two computers are a Pentium 4 desktop computer running Windows 2000 and a Toshiba Notebook 430cds running Windows 95. I would like to communicate between the two computers. Windows 95 has a cable direct facility which allows communication by serial or parallel cable. I have the cable but how do I make it communicate with a Windows 2000 machine?

It is possible to use Windows 2000 as a direct cable connection client even though Windows 2000 does not have an explicit ‘Direct Cable Connection’ program. Instead, in Windows 2000, this has been integrated into the ‘Network and Dial-up Connections’ feature. Firstly, we must set up Windows 95 as the host computer. This can be quite a long process to explain so instead, have a look at the website www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000246.htm and follow the instructions. However, you only need to follow these instructions up to and including point 6. Now Windows 95 will be the host computer and waiting for the connection. Now we need to set up Windows 2000 as the client computer. To do this, follow the instructions at www.lpt.com/windowsnetworking/regusers/w2kdcccl.htm. There are a few tricks for setting up Windows 2000 to work with a direct cable connection, so follow the instructions carefully. After the connection has been established, you should be able to browse whatever drive/directory you have shared using ‘My Network Places’ in Windows 2000. Be aware that if you wish to share the internet between these two computers over the cable connection, there are additional steps which need to be taken. If you are interested, have a look at www.lpt.com/windowsnetworking/regusers/dccmain.htm. In particular, the ‘Modem Internet Connection Sharing via DCC’ between the Windows 95, 98, Me and Windows 2000 logo (near the bottom of the page).