i am looking for the simplest way to connect to another computer. one of my friends would like to back up his hdd but doesn't have a cd burner. i offered to do the backup for him on my computer, but i'm not quite sure how to connect my computer to his (both laptops). is there a simple way to do it, without having to set up a home network?

also, another of my friends got the blaster virus, and she is having big problems on her computer. this might be a real obscure/stupid question, but is there any way that i can connect to her computer and mount her hdd without requiring her to boot up? if so, i figured i could safely scan and get rid of the virus with f-prot (provided it can actually remove the virus, not just detect it--anyone know for sure?) without allowing it to do more damage.

thanks a lot for any help anyone can offer.

i dont know about the easiest but here are the most popluar
searching google will give u all the info on them and download links of course
telnet ( remote command line full control similar to ssh but less secure n what not )
ssh ( remote command line full control )
vnc ( im not sure if you have to be on a network or not, the n does stand for network but yeah not sure. vnc displays an X session remotely )

for just transfer of files? thats simple: ftp

telnet and ssh are great for logging into that system and acting as if you were sitting in front of it, but ftp is simple, you just transfer files and call it a day.

oh ya if u just wanted to tranfer files ftp would be easiest
some linux ftp daemons:
vsftpd ( very secure )
proftpd
glftpd ( more advaned, takes longer )

the default ftp daemon is fine, too, no need for anything "fancy". Just make sure you know the root password and you ftp any file ya want from his box to yours

thanks a lot, everyone. is there an easier or faster way to do it if we connect them physically, e.g. through an ethernet cable or something?

oh, by the way--he's running windoze 2000.

he's running Win2K

he could share folders/files that he wants as a backup

you as in linux could access his system through samba

see here for more info: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/943

HOWEVER, you would need a cheap hub and 2 RJ-45 cables to get it all setup in a network (total costs probably 30 bucks or less if you're good and know where to buy stuff cheap ) - remember, this is a purchase that is not just good for that one occassion - imagine you will have a second computer someday and want to have both systems connected to the internet there ya go hehe

NOW!!! You asked for something that would work without a network - if you have 2 HDDS in your system and would like to help him, just add your second HDD into his system, boot up with his Win2K and copy all files he wants saved over to your second HDD ( you will need to know how to set jumpers and such for the HDDs to work properly - BIOS configuration is another thing you might have to look into)

second method: if he has a website hosted somewhere and it's not that much that he wants to backup, he should simply use ftp to log onto his webhosting and upload it there, that way it's convenient for him to redownload all of it when he's got his system backup properly

third method: buy another HDD - HDDs are very cheap today, I mean he doesn't have to purchase a 200GB HDD or so, probably a 30GB is enough for his backup and that way he can have his data always saved on a seperate drive which more "likely will" never be affected of any other problems.

I think that's pretty much all I can think off for rigth now - hope this helps

retiredsoldier and everyone else--

thanks a lot! that definitely helps! i love LQ!!!

a crossover ethernet patch cable from your eth port to his should let you connect one machine to the other as cheaply as possible.