Transfer from MBP to PC via Crossover

Hias everyone I'm a recent switcher and my spanking new MBP feels all empty without over 20 gigs of my music and pictures that sit on my old PC (win XP).

I just got an Ethernet Crossover wire from a friend but I guess the comp's dont spontaneously notice each other So Im going to need some assistance

Oh and be gentle, Im pretty new at this . A pretty quick learner though

 

Im curious as well, can't get my crossover cable to work either...

 

You don't even need a crossover cable, just regular Ethernet will work. Check out Apple's Switch 101: File Migration Guide for directions:

 

Excuse my stupidity, but where on the computer would one find this?

smb://DNSname/ShareName
smb://IPaddress/ShareName

 

Yeah there are some additional steps that Apple left out of their instructions as well, it's been awhile since I did this so I didn't notice. Please read complete post before actually doing any of this, you may save yourself a few minutes .

After Step 2 from above try this. I think the easiest way to get around any issues that may arise is to run the Network Setup Wizard in Windows (it's in the Control Panel). In the Wizard Click Next, then Next again, choose 'Other' and Click Next and Choose This computer belongs to a network that does not have an internet connection then Click Next. Make a note of the 'Computer name' and Click Next. Make a note of the 'Workgroup name' and Click Next. Choose Turn on file and printer sharing and Click Next. Click Next, choose Just finish the wizard; I don't need to run he wizard on other computers and Click Next. Finally Click Finish. You may need to Restart the Windows PC at this time. And after the Restart...

All you really need now is the ip address. In Windows go to Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will give your ip address (for example, xx.xxx.xxx.xx). Then on your mac enter smb://xx.xxx.xxx.xx/ as described in steps 3 and 4 (the ShareName is not necessary, at least it wasn't for me).

You should see SMB/CIFS File System Authentication window soon. Enter either the 'Workgroup name' or 'Computer name' in the 'Workgroup or Domain' line. Enter your Windows login and Click OK.

I'm sure there are multiple ways to do this, as with most things in Windows. Like I said above, this is probably Overkill, but hopefull will eliminate any problems.

Alternatively to find your computer's Domain and Workgroup you can Right-Click My Computer and select the Computer Name tab. So first try to just use your ip address and this info, then if need be go back and use the Network Setup Wizard in Windows.

 

Awesome, thanks i got it to work no prob

 

Thanks for the lengthy and detailed explanation thing is: for some reason my old PC fails to give an IP when I type ipconfig.
It only gives the IP of my internet account but when I unplug the Ethernet cable (to connect to the MBP) and type ipconfig it just gives me a blank

That really depressing I've tried everything but I guess I'd have to burn everything to CD's now.

Thanks for the effort though

 

Well at least someone got something from this thread

 

After you connect the two computers via Ethernet, wait a minute for the connection to establish before executing ipconfig. Try using Windows 'Repair Connection' feature (Right-Click the Connection in Control Panel --> Network Connections). If this fails you can Restart your computer too, that should definitely work.

How much data are you transferring? Burning everything to CDs is probably a waste of time and CDs. You've got other options, Ethernet is simply the fastest. Rather than burning CDs you could use an external hard drive (or iPod). But I still think you can establish a direct connection with Ethernet cable.

Here's another Support Document from Apple, How to Move to Mac: Use Your Network.