Direct Cable Cock-ups

[SMurf]

Hello,

Due to a lack of a network card, I've had to attach the ubiquitous null modem serial cable to the backs of my study and home computer in order to transfer a 130MB file. My study PC is running Windows 98 SE, my home PC Windows XP Home Edition. I've set my study PC as the host and the other as the guest and got them to connect.

After wondering why neither PC was showing up in Network Neighbourhood/My Network Places, I eventually remembered the fact that there is no routing server and hence I'd have to refer to each PC by their IP address. Having solved that problem, I begun transfer of the file. Upon finally seeing the Copy dialog I nearly collapsed. 70 minutes remaining?!?

Checking the connection speed I found it was running at just 19.2 Kbps (19200)! I know that modern UARTs are capable of somewhere in the region of 115,200 Kbps so I attempted to rectify the problem by upping the maximum transfer rate on the serial port of my study PC, but to no avail. I've found that for some reason it ONLY connects at 19.2 Kbps, no higher, no lower.

Does anyone know of a way to get some much-loved CPS, or am I doomed to spend hours transferring at sub-modem speeds?

[ober]

Serial transfer is VERY slow. I'm afraid you're stuck at 19.2... I'm actually surpised you can get those speeds out of it. for 130mb file, 70 minutes isn't bad on serial.

[VBprogrammer]

Also be careful with it, I've seen a few com-ports burn't out because of Direct Cable connections...

[SMurf]

Hmm, shortly after posting I again checked the settings on my study PC and found yet more port speed settings under "Serial cable on COM1" (I was just looking at the ports under Device Manager), which for some reason was set to 230.4 Kbps. I took that down to 115,200 and voíla, a 115.2 Kbps connection was made. Still would be quicker for me to cut the files up and transfer by floppies though...

I've just been made aware of a possible USB-based solution to my problem. Doesn't sound much cheaper than a network card and a twisted pair cable, however.

P.S. I found out the copy dialog was lying to me afterwards (They usually do these days - stoopid Windows caching ). It took a little over 2 hours to transfer 130MB.