Two computers?

Use a crossover cable ( about 10 bucks) or a network with a hub or email to one another, or use sneaker net ( usb drive). DO NOT USE A DATA TRANSFER CABLE. The BEST way to transfer a program (not the data) is to load the CD on the other computer. This will give you the least chance of screwing up your OS and your data

connect the two by a router

get a messenger program - two accounts

can be yahoo messenger , msn messenger skype etc etc

Log in on each computer ( Msn messenger for example will only let you be logged on with an account one computer)

Just transfer the files between the two messenger accounts on each computer.

The two will connect on the internet but your router or switch wikk know to transfer the files internally on your home network

as opposed to the internet ( and at very high speeds)

There may be other ways to do this task.

However this makes the handshake and transfers simple and easy.

You can also burn a cd or dvd or now that usb memory stick prices are so low you can use usb flash drive or external hard drive ( just make sure if one is an older win 98 that the drive will work with it)

The best way is to have a router. A hub or switch will also work. Another method is direct connect with a crossover cable but this requires you to keep changing the cable unless you have 2 network interface cards in both PC's.

Once connected you will need to enable file sharing and set network shares. For good instructions in Windows XP go to the start button, select help and support, click on networking and the web

Easiest and fastest is to use a hub.

4 port hub (my pref is linksys)

2 Std. patch cables

If the PC's do not have network cards on the motherboard (you will see the plug in on the back of the PC. It looks like a phone plug in but slightly bigger) you will need to buy network cards (cheap will do)

XP - control panel and set up and IP address. You can use any but try to use something in the 192.168.1.xxx (where xxx is 1 to 251). Each PC needs a unique IP address

Use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0

Change security setting to share files

Make sure each user has a login account on both PC's with the same password for both computers.

Make sure that both PC are in the same workgroup

This should work well for you.

there are quite a few programs out there to connect to a pc from another pc

but both computers have to have that same software

also - WindowsXP and Vista both have what is called - (visat calls it) Windows Easy Transfer - it's located in - Start - Programs - System Tools - Windows Easy Transfer)

I believe WIndowsXP has it located in the System Tools section as well

you will need a cable (called Easy Transfer Cable - which you can purchase at a local computer store)

other software download sites you can find in the following site:

http://tucows.com/related/?k=PC+Remote+Control+Sof...

get a router and connect it to your pc's. or go out and buy a firewire. its a two way connect wire that will do the same as a router, but it is much harder to figure out how to use it.

you need a router. easy setup. and 2 network cards. one for each pc.

flash drive