Easiest way to backup data using peer to peer?

[Baliman]

hello,
I need to backup data from laptop and do not have any huge enough portable drive. I thought perhaps I could just connect desktop to the laptop with a network cable, I did but it does not work.
Do I need to enter some settings manually? If you could give me some start points it would be great...

 

[madmatt]

Thread title modifed/thread moved.

 

[kcnychief]

Well if you were going with one cable from one PC to another, you would need what is called a Crossover cable - a normal Ethernet cable wouldn't do the trick. I would assume that is your first problem.

Additionally, they both need to have File and Printer Sharing setup, similar network settings, etc.