I have a desktop (xp) and a laptop (xp). If I set up a ftp server on my desktop and use a ftp client on my laptop could I connect to transfer files back and forth with a ethernet cord. I know of people that do it while connected to a network but could it be done without the internet.

Hope this makes sense.

FTP is a messy way of doing this. Just network the two computers and enable drive sharing . Then use Explorer to move the files between drives.

I'm pretty new to networking so could you please explain it for a newbie.

im thinking this might get moved to networking/security maybe, but i will throw this in

you need either a cross-over cable between the two computers, or 2 network cables and a hub. either way, since you have windows xp, it should set everything up to work by itself. if not, run the network setup wizard

Thanks, that's all I needed to know.