How to Connect Two Computers Together with an Ethernet Cable

If you lack access to a network, and need to transfer files or establish a connection between two computers, you can connect the computers to one another using a crossover Ethernet cable. After connecting your computers together with an Ethernet cable, you will be required to modify the network settings on one of the computers to establish the cable connection. You will then have the ability to transfer or share files, and play network games between both computers. Continue reading this article to learn about the procedure for connecting your computers together with Ethernet on either a Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Macintosh operating system (OS).

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Method 1 of 2: Windows 7 and Windows Vista

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   Verify that you have a crossover Ethernet cable. A crossover Ethernet cable is required to connect computers with Windows OS; whereas a standard Ethernet cable will only establish a connection between a computer and router.

   • Examine the wire color patterns at each end of the Ethernet cable to determine whether or not the colors match up. A crossover Ethernet cable will have color patterns that do not match up; whereas on standard cables, the color patterns will match up to one another identically on each end.
     
   • Refer to the image on the "Tekron International" website provided to you in the Sources section of this article if you need additional assistance with determining the difference between a standard and crossover Ethernet cable.
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   Plug each end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet network port on each computer to connect the computers together with the cable.
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   Go to any one of your computers, and click on the "Start" menu. The "Start" menu often resembles the Microsoft Windows logo on computers running Windows 7.
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   Select "Control Panel," then type "network" into the search box provided to you within Control Panel.
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   Select "Network and Sharing Center" from the options displayed in the window.
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   Select and open the icon labeled "Unidentified network" from the network map at the top of the Network and Sharing Center window. This icon may display as "Multiple networks" if you have more than one network.
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   Click on the message that prompts you to change the network discovery and file sharing settings, then click on the option that reads, "Turn on network discovery and file sharing."
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   Type the administrator password for the computer if prompted to do so, then press "Enter" on your keyboard. Both of your computers will now be visible in the Network and Sharing Center window, and you will have the ability to share files and other resources.
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Method 2 of 2: Macintosh (Mac) OS X

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   Plug each end of a standard Ethernet cable into the Ethernet ports on both computers. If one or both of your Macs do not have Ethernet ports, you may be required to use universal serial bus (USB) to Ethernet adapters.
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   Go to one of the computers, then open the "Apple" menu.
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   Select "System Preferences" from the options provided, then select "Sharing."
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   Take note of the computer's name from within the "Sharing" menu.
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   Go to your other computer, and navigate to "Finder." The "Finder" is a square-shaped icon located in the dock of your Mac, and resembles a pair of faces.
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   Select "Go," then click on "Connect to Server" in Finder.
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   Click on the button labeled "Browse," then double-click the name of the other computer that displays in the window.
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   Type in the administrator password for the other computer, if prompted to do so. A connection will then be established between both computers, and you will now have the ability to transfer and share files.