Using a ethernet cable to transfer files?

[tedevanoff777]

Can I use the ethernet cable from the old HP Pavilion modem to the Acer netbook to transfer files?

 

[totaljonahjames]

No, use a USB Thumbstick an Ethernet cable is meant for transferring "Internet" not files, you could also use a File sharing website/software Onedrive, Mega, ect.

 

[Snipergod87]

You can but will require a fair bit of configuration and is not novice friendly. As long as you dont mean modem, but ethernet nic.

 

[WyomingKnott]

Thumbdrive is probably better. If you have the ability to crimp cables, you could build a crossover cable and set a temporary fixed IP address on each.
Wait: you wrote "from the old HP Pavilion modem...." No, can't run a cable from a modem port to an Ethernet port.

 

[13thmonkey]

No, use a USB Thumbstick an Ethernet cable is meant for transferring "Internet" not files, you could also use a File sharing website/software Onedrive, Mega, ect.

Just, not really, no. Transferring files over a network from machine to machine is perfectly normal.

 

[BFG-9000]

If you don't have a router to assign ip addresses by DHCP, you can directly connect two computers by an ethernet cable in something called an "ad hoc" network. You have to manually set IPv4 addresses for each machine, and if even one of them has gigabit that's auto-MDIX so you don't even need a crossover cable. But you do need ethernet ports on both.

And yep, a modem is definitely not ethernet. The ethernet cable won't even plug in.

There's also USB or Firewire networking, but those require special cables.