The Steel Guitar Forum

I used to use my desktop computer to play midi files and to create rhythm tracks ; also It has an excellent guitar tuner installed. Now,however,my wife and two teenagers have become computer literate and I can rarely get the chance to sit down at it. I have an older NEC laptop that doesn't have a CD rom or modem. My question is : How can I get the large programs like BIAB and Pro Tools onto my laptop.I seem to remember a program called FX that would dump from one HD to another through the serial port but I can't find it anywhere.Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Try Laplink.

It's pretty good at doing this type of file transfer between computers and comes with cables.

I think you'll find you need to transfer the program and then install it.


John Fabian

Mike-- Presuming both computers are running a version of Windows, you already have file transfer capability. Windows includes a module called Direct Cable Connection which allows you to connect two computers via a serial or parallel port, or with modems. DCC is not as pretty as LapLink and other commercial methods - but it's FREE.

You may not have DCC installed - look for it in Start/Programs/Accessories. If you need to install, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Windows Setup. Highlite ommunication and click 'details', then select the DCC entry.

You will need a special cable. Any computer store will have them - just tell them what you're trying to do. Different cable for the different ways to connect - using the parallel port is the fastest.

If you need assistance, post a question or drop me an email. --Everett

John; Does laplink software come in CD format or floppy ?

Everett ; My desktop is running ME and has DCC installed. My laptop is using '98 and it says DCC is not installed.I bought this laptop on Ebay with 98 loaded in it .Is there any way I can transfer the DCC install from ME to 98 via floppy?----Thanks----

If one just transfers the program via "LapLink" or other transfer programs,it may or may not work correctly. The reason is that: While you may transfer the program,you will not transfer the DDL files that are in the "system" directory. Many of these programs,(CakeWalk,BIAB,etc,etc) place support files in the Windows registery,and system directorys.

I would highly recommend that you should actually in-stall the desired program on to the lap-top Computer if you still have the original copies of such. This will save a lot of problems,words that children shouldn't hear,and you will thank yourself later.

Mike,
That's a good question. Older versions did come on floppy. I don't know about newer ones. Usually floppies are available but at extra cost. You can also download the progam from the Laplink website. You may also want to consider getting an outboard CD ROM running on PCMIA or possibly serial port.

Bill,
If you transfer the INSTALLER of the program (easy to do if you download it) this can easily be installed. I do this all the time with both programs, upgrades,and patches.

You are correct about transfering an already installed program and having it not work correctly (if at all).

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Fabian on 02 July 2001 at 07:19 AM.]</p></FONT>

Bill,I have all my original software.Problem is, it is on CD.My laptop doesn't have CD rom.It doesn,t have a modem so I can't download anything either.

Mike-- Your laptop probably has the Windows cabinet files on it, somewhere. A 'standard' location is Windows\Options\Cabs. If you don't see that folder (or there's not much in it) do a 'Find' for files named *.cab and look for 25-30 similarly named files in a group.

Once the .cab files are available, you can re-configure Windows with the Add/Remove Programs applet in ControlPanel. Activate Windows Setup, make your choice as outlined in my earlier post, and if/when the Windows CDRom is requested, type in the path to the folder containing those cabinet files.

Otherwise, I'll see if I can find a file transfer utility small enough to put on floppies. -- Everett

Mike-- Here's a link to download a file transfer program.

http://members.aol.com/racity/link.html

I have not used this program and know nothing about it or the author. It is relatively small and there is a FREE, fully functional trial download. They also provide cable info - including instructions for making one, yourself.

Maybe this will do the job for you if DCC is not an option. -- Everett

Mike,

DCC is by far the simplest and free-est method. All you need is a Direct Link Cable available at the computer store. Hook it up to the printer ports on both computers.'

Both ME and 98 have DCC as Everett explained. once you have it on both computers put the cable on and go to network neighborhood and try to see if you can see the other computer.

Be sure you have properly identified the names of both computers so each one can recognize the other. Also put them both in the same workgroup.

Good luck!


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Bill Fulbright
1998 Sierra U12 7x5; '74 Schecter Strat; Gibson ES-165; Peavey Classic 50-410, Line 6 POD 2.0 w/2.2 chip
ICQ# 2251620; Bill Fulbright's Music Website (hotguitar.tripod.com)