Why connect laptop to PC?

One reason why you would want to connect laptop to PC is for the ease of transfer of data files between the two. Also, you may want to connect laptop to PC so that the two will share peripherals like printers, scanners or even an internet connection cable when you only have one. There are many ways through which you can connect laptop to PC, but we shall look at the three main methods people use, of which two are major. The three main methods you can use are by using local area network (LAN), by using ordinary USB cables or by using Bluetooth. The first two are the most commonly used methods used.

Connect Laptop to PC using LAN

LAN is usually used to connect multiple computers into a network, so that these computers will be able to share data files between them and peripherals, as mentioned above. This is the method used in cyber cafes or when a company needs to network their computers. There are three ways through which LAN connection can be done; using Wi-Fi, using cables or using a combination of Wi-Fi and cables. When you use LAN connection to connect laptop to PC, a router causes your laptop and PC to communicate through the same cyberspace, hence being able to share data files and peripherals.

Simple Steps

Switch both the laptop and the PC on. On the laptop, go to the pop up “Start” menu, and click on “All Programs.” From the drop down menu that will be displayed, choose “Accessories,” and then choose “Communications” from the drop down. When you choose “Communications” some options will come; choose the “Network Setup Wizard.”

On the first two screens, click “next” till you get to the third. Choose “ignore disconnected network hardware” then “next.” Then choose “select a connection method” and then press next when “select your internet connection” comes. Then, name the laptop, the work group and enable “file sharing and printing.”

Connect Laptop to PC using USB

The first thing you should do when you want to connect laptop to PC is to shut down both computers. Take the USB cable you have purchased for this purpose and connect each end of the USB cable to the free port on each computer. After this, switch both computers on and let them both “detect new hardware.” Then, check the USB cable switch and see which mode it is in; it should be in Link Mode for interconnection to be enabled. Once this is done, connectivity between the two is enabled, and you can now use the computers to share data files and peripherals. This is all you need to do in order to connect laptop to PC, and most people prefer the USB method because of its simplicity.

Connect laptop to PC using Bluetooth

This method is rarely used, but it is also very effective. All you need to do in order to connect laptop to PC using this method is to have both computers installed with a Bluetooth dongle and driver in them. If your PC or laptop has an inbuilt one, then there is no need to install any in it. However, the other one that does not have an inbuilt one must have an external one installed.