UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I recently installed AT&T UNIX SysV, on an old Pentium computer. I now find that I am unable to transfer files to and from the computer. I previously posted about problems mounting a floppy drive, but that is just bringing up more problems about the filesystem format.

JGT brought to my attention UUCP, where I can transfer files to and from my computers via serial cable.
The only problem is that I don't have a cable lying around. And I havn't seen one in Wal-Mart before. I do however, have the resources to build a cable, if it is possible. I have an abundance of parallel port connectors (25pin printer port). Is it possible to use a parallel port cable instead of a serial port?

Thanks for the help

It has to plug into your serial port to fit in your serial port. Parallel port connectors would likely be exactly backwards. You could do it but it'd mean more adaptors and gender changers than actual cable.

I doubt you'll find one in wal-mart, but you should find one most places that have a panel-o-generic-startech-hardware.

If you have some old dead serial mice, you could cobble together a loopback from two of those, probably.

Sorry, I probably should have been a little clearer.
Can I use the parallel port, or does it have to be the serial port?
In one of the previous posts from jgt
Almost makes it sound as though I can use the parallel port.

If I have to use the serial port, i will make a parallel port connector work, I will just need to know which pins connect between the computers and I can make it happen.
(I only have PS/2 mouses, serial mouses would be great, I wouldn't have to cut as much wire)

Has to be a serial port.

There is such a thing as 25-pin serial, but it uses opposite cabling from parallel ports.

Alright. So between the two computers on a 9p serial connector, will they connect like this?
Pin1 to Pin1
Pin2 to Pin2
etc.
Pin9 to Pin9

No, it needs to be a crossover cable, with pins 2 and 3 switched, not a straight-through cable. That way, the transmit of one side is connected to the receive of the other.

At its very simplest, those two lines alone could be enough for a connection with software flow control.

Simplest way to build a cable is to get an ethernet patch cord (RJ45) at both ends, and then find two RJ45 to DB9 adapters with push in pins. RJ45 to DB9-F Adapter CISCO,ADAPTERS,NETWORK,TELCO,SERIAL
Then all you have to do is push the pins into the socket. No soldering etc.
You cannot use the the parallel port, as there is no unix software that supports bi-directional parallel ports.
You will need RJ45 to DB9 female connectors assuming that both machines have male DB9 serial ports.