Win 11 and USB transfer cables

smoketoxdoc · Mar 30, 2023

A very recent post mentioned use of USB file transfer cables. However, there appears to be a difference in the prices of cables available from web-based vendors. What does the $50 cable do that the cheaper cables don't? I need to transfer directories on two exFAT partitions from my "main" PC to other PCs I use. I know I could download them from the off-site backup services I use, but that can be a pain. Directories are 400 MB to I GB in size.

Thank you,

John

hsehestedt · Mar 30, 2023

Without knowing the specific cables that you are comparing, it is difficult to tell you what the difference is since we have nothing at all to go by.

However, let me ask this: do the systems in questions have any kind of network capabilities, either WiFi or Ethernet? If so, why not simply perform the transfers over the network? As another alternative, you could copy the data to a flash drive or external HD, and then connect that to the other system to copy the data. Either of these methods should be simple, especially in view of how small these directories are.

badrobot · Mar 30, 2023

Or you can just do network share (PC to PC) and transfer your files overnight over your home network. Lots of youtube videos about it. Very easy.
Cables are cables. Just don't get the real cheap sketchy ones.

DigitalGoat · Mar 31, 2023

Cables are very much not just cables.
Some cables have inline electronics (usually at one end) that can convert data/ boost the signal, often called active cables.
Cable quality and length can also affect the speed of data transfer and the signal quality, although a digital signal will still work regardless, the results of useing cheap cables can be undesirable depending on the devices requirements at either end.
Some USB cables are data only and others are data + power (for charging devices), a certified cable 'should' perform as advertised but as always customer beware.

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

I used USB data cables back when a router and Wi-Fi weren't common place. Some cables demand that you load the vendor's application to transfer your data (looking like an FTP application, older fellows compare with LapLink for DOS). Others create a network between the two computers so you can transfer through shared folders. But if both computers are connected to that same router with with cable or WiFi, it is far easier to move data between the two. Just share the corresponding folder. If you have a separate partition or hard drive (not C: of course) you can share the whole partition so you can copy in whichever folder you like. I have an external hard disk where I save my videos and have made the whole disk shared.

hsehestedt · Mar 31, 2023

badrobot said:
Cables are cables. Just don't get the real cheap sketchy ones.

In this instance, I have to agree with this statement. It was noted that some cables have electronics in them to facilitate the transfer, while others do not. In the case of USB transfer cables, they ALL have electronics in them. You cannot perform a USB to USB transfer with a "standard" USB cable.

That said, this is an antiquated way of transferring files. Sure, if you have no other option, it will work as a last resort, but these days pretty much everyone has network access (necessary for internet access, unless using a cellular type connection), or to external storage such as a HDD or flash disk.

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

An alternative is to use a "crossover" LAN cable to directly connect the two network ports of the computers together. It bypasses the router and creates a small network that each computer can see the shared resources of the other. If you have a network hub or switch, there is no need for the special "crossover" LAN cable, you can use standard (patch) LAN cables connecting both computers on the switch. The USB transfer cable is known as Direct Cable Connection (remember Windows 98 and XP? We used serial or parallel cables back then). Not very common today.

badrobot · Mar 31, 2023

DigitalGoat said:
Some USB cables are data only

I don't think there is such a thing as data-only USB cable. Power only USB cable, yes.
If you don't have power on data cable, it will not detect any device?

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

If you take a plain USB type A male/male cable, it won't work. You need a special USB data cable which has a circuit and software for the transfer.

DigitalGoat · Mar 31, 2023

badrobot said:
I don't think there is such a thing as data-only USB cable. Power only USB cable, yes.
If you don't have power on data cable, it will not detect any device?

Some USB cables are for data others are for data and charging. Is that better?

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

It sounds a little weird. Yes some low quality cables are not good enough for data transfer (some times the computer cannot properly detect the smartphone), they are for charge only. Better quality cables can both charge and transfer data. To use the quick charge feature or to transfer data at good speed you need good quality cables. With cheap cables you charge slowly and you may not be able to transfer data. I hope you get the difference. But there is no such thing as data only cable. If it can transfer data, it can also charge, albeit not at quick charge mode.

badrobot · Mar 31, 2023

DigitalGoat said:
Some USB cables are for data others are for data and charging. Is that better?

No. Some are for charging only. And some are for data and charging.

hsehestedt · Mar 31, 2023

spapakons said:
It sounds a little weird. Yes some low quality cables are not good enough for data transfer (some times the computer cannot properly detect the smartphone), they are for charge only. Better quality cables can both charge and transfer data. To use the quick charge feature or to transfer data at good speed you need good quality cables. With cheap cables you charge slowly and you may not be able to transfer data. I hope you get the difference. But there is no such thing as data only cable. If it can transfer data, it can also charge, albeit not at quick charge mode.

A "standard" USB cable, whether it is made for data transfer or not, is NOT appropriate for PC to PC data transfer. ONLY cables with active electronics designed for PC to PC data transfer work that way. Standard USB cables will transfer data to HDDs, phones, etc. but not from PC to PC.

spapakons · Mar 31, 2023

That's what I said in my earlier post. A simple USB type A male/male cable won't work. It must be a special USB data transfer cable which comes with a special circuit board and transfer software. That explains the price difference over the plan USB type A cable.

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