No
I bought something similar about 5 years ago for $10, it didn’t have cables, just USB to USB connector that had the software in it.
I use it to transfer data on a PC running a VPN since that locks out the LAN over Ethernet.
Don’t be misled by the no software claim, you do have to run the Tornado file transfer software that is built into the device which starts up as an autorun program. It doesn’t work transparently to all apps showing the other computer as a removable drive.
If it did I would pay $20 for it, as it is, I’d buy this one if it was $10 cheaper…
how long are the cords on either side? doesn’t look like it will work for me seeing as how my computers are in 2 completely separate rooms.
This is a very handy, easy to use device. Quicker and simpler than using a crossover cable, and it also allows you to transfer files fast when the Ethernet jack is being used for something else (like Internet connectivity). The GUI interface is great. Also, the eraser software alone is almost worth the price.
Really, this applies to everybody. Most modern PCs also have auto-sensing Ethernet ports, so you can just connect them with any normal Ethernet cord.
On top of that, Gigabit Ethernet has a maximum speed that’s twice that of USB, so you should really consider if this is an item you want or not.
Yes it will since it doesn’t use the computers’ networking features at all. Instead, the computer sees it as something like (though not exactly like) a USB thumbdrive, which will work regardless of any security settings.
That’s why I’m a little surprised by all the heavy-duty snarking here, and why I bought one last night in spite of being reasonably Windows-networking savvy. Which would you rather tell someone -
“Here, just let me plug this cable into the side of your computer and copy the directory.”
or
“Here, just let me shut down all your network apps and unplug you from your network, plug you into my computer with this other cable, change your network settings and turn off your network security, copy the directory, and then I promise I’ll set everything back the way it was and your work won’t be disrupted - really, trust me!”
No, but a Live CD version of a Linux distro like Puppy or Ubuntu will help you recover these files, if they are recoverable at all. Also a Bart PE disc will work as well.
[QUOTE=reganrich, post:199, topic:222311]
Can this transfer files between Vista and XP machines (without too much hassle)?
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I have done this. Moved files from a client’s old Dell XP desktop to a new Vista Laptop without any issues.
[QUOTE=airtimecellular, post:27, topic:222311]
I bought one of these before. Transfer rate is pretty fast but there is a 4GB file size limitation. This loads in your PC as a CD rom drive so any files larger than 4 GB it will not transfer. I would pay $10 for it, not at this price.
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I’m surprised that it handles itself like a FAT32 device. I also agree that using DBan and crossover cable [or networking via a router] is more feasible. I imagine that’s not the case for most people though.
My thoughts are that this is for people looking to transfer stuff off of an old PC that probably isn’t even hooked up to the internet, or one that is about to have a format to do a virus cleanup. Not a bad way to get their music or videos off of it.
monoprice.com has a 10 footer for $1.19.
can you do this with just a regular transfer cable?
This is great for not disrupting the existing networking configuration of the computers in question, such as in an office environment where the network configuration settings are typically locked-down or otherwise cannot or should not be changed.
This is a win-win item for wooters. It is a “win” for those who like to think of themselves as computer savvy. They can thumb their nose at this item and brag about how “knowledgeable” they are about computers.
It is a “win” for those who understand the benefits of the simplicity and ease-of-use of this device. Some who understand that might also understand how flaky Windows sharing can be (with some computers refusing to see others on the same local network). They might also understand that using a “simple” crossover cable requires tinkering with network settings and then tinkering them back.
Everybody is a winner. 
[QUOTE=janis2, post:80, topic:222311]
Will this transfer audio files (ie: from Audible manager) from one computer to another?
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Yes, the files will transfer. However, you need to be using the same Audible account on both computers, as the files are encoded for a specific account. If you are, you are all set.
You do know that you can re-download any Audible book in your library, right? I have 2 computers using the same account, as I use a Mac/iPod and PC/other MP3 players that support Audible, and since I am using my same Audible account, I can just re-download the ones I purchased on the Mac on the PC, and vice-versa. Audible may go to great lengths to prevent piracy, but they do allow re-downloading once you make a purchase.
Edit: Honestly, a USB thumbdrive seems so much more handy than this, and the price for a 16G thumbdrive is about the same if not less. No networking, no software to install, no expertise necessary (my 85 year old dad can and does use one), no operating system or file type limitations, no distance limitation, and it fits on your keychain. Not sure why this is an improvement over that simplicity.
cant you just use two dongles to transfer files?
[QUOTE=Jonas4321, post:214, topic:222311]
Edit: Honestly, a USB thumbdrive seems so much more handy than this, and the price for a 16G thumbdrive is about the same if not less. No networking, no software to install, no expertise necessary (my 85 year old dad can and does use one), no operating system or file type limitations, no distance limitation, and it fits on your keychain. Not sure why this is an improvement over that simplicity.
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It comes down to different tools for different jobs.
I didn’t think that there was any software to install to use this USB cable.
If the 2 computers are close enough, it would be more efficient to transmit the data directly. Using a USB thumdrive, if you had to transfer 8 GB of data it requires WRITING 8GB to the thumbdrive on the source system, then READING 8GB from the drive to the target system. The data gets transferred twice. Not to mention that writing to the thumbdrive will be slower than reading.
I think that another benefit of such a cable (in addition to one-time transfers) is that it can share access of files (not just transfer them).
Anyways, I’m in for one and look forward to tinkering with it. I probably should’ve bought two to see if I can daisychain 3 notebooks.
Easist way to do this is get an external hard drive enclosure for 2.5" drives (PATA or SATA interface - make sure it matches your hard drive), remove your hard drive from your laptop, insert your hard drive in the external HD enclosure, and connect the external HD to your other PC. External HD enclosures can be purchased for under $15 online.
As far as getting Windows to load, you probably just have to re-install Windows. Try to get your data off your hard drive before you re-install, but if your hardware is OK, re-installing Windows fixes most corrupted installations.
[QUOTE=reemrevnivek, post:210, topic:222311]
monoprice.com has a 10 footer for $1.19.
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This is not a straight through A-B USB cable. Someone already posted the proper link for the USB data transfer cable.
[QUOTE=sracer, post:216, topic:222311]
I didn’t think that there was any software to install to use this USB cable.
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Yes, there is software, that is why it is is OS dependent - No Mac support. The software is on the device and gets installed when you plug it in.
[QUOTE=sracer, post:216, topic:222311]
If the 2 computers are close enough, it would be more efficient to transmit the data directly. Using a USB thumbdrive, if you had to transfer 8 GB of data it requires WRITING 8GB to the thumbdrive on the source system, then READING 8GB from the drive to the target system. The data gets transferred twice. Not to mention that writing to the thumbdrive will be slower than reading.
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Agreed. Time savings, good point.
[QUOTE=sracer, post:216, topic:222311]
I think that another benefit of such a cable (in addition to one-time transfers) is that it can share access of files (not just transfer them).
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If you are interested in regular file access between computers, a network should be considered, plus you get printer sharing and more with a network. Have a friend set it up if you aren’t interested in learning how (or pay someone if your time is worth more to you doing other things, which may be the case).
[QUOTE=sracer, post:216, topic:222311]
Anyways, I’m in for one and look forward to tinkering with it. I probably should’ve bought two to see if I can daisychain 3 notebooks.
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I did consider the tinkering factor, but $25 was actual money.
I trust no software to completely erase an old hard drive. Is saving an old drive worth even the slightest possible risk of ID theft, or other sensitive information? They get physically destroyed by a hammer. Plus, its sort of fun!