Connect Windows 7 to Windows XP

[benjamingrantdu]

Hi all,
I have a windows XP computer with a broken CD drive and no internet connection ( I know, sounds horrible, right?). It's an important PC customized to an expensive piece of lab equipment, so I'm in no hurry to trade it out. However, I'm trying to use the CD drive of my windows 7 computer for the XP computer. Can I do this via an ethernet cord or other methods? I have a serial cable that can reach between the two but that seems like a less than optimal method and I can't get it to connect anyway. Suggestions? Best
Ben

 

[strollin]

Do both computers have an ethernet port? You could use a crossover cable to network them together then share the CD ROM drive. Another possibility is to obtain a USB external CD ROM drive to plugin to the XP computer.

 

[benjamingrantdu]

Yeah i was just using an ethernet cable to connect the two but don't know how to set it up in windows 7 - none of the options make any sense. Like I don't want a "homegroup". Suggestions/links?

 

[DocBrown]

You can not use a standard ethernet cable, it must be a crossover. Or you might get a inexpensive 4 or 5 port ethernet hub & make a home network without internet. You need to use a business type workgroup not HOMEGROUP when sharing with XP & Vista.

 

[benjamingrantdu]

How about 1394/firewire?