USB File Transfer for Dummies

Not an ordinary USB cable

Sometimes we think that the only thing worse than a freelancer faking knowledge is someone who believes it. Be that as it may, we're here to remind you that just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's true. We know: big surprise, eh? Anyway, today's nominee is a perfect example of what we're talking about. It's a Techwalla.com article written by Suvro Banerji that allegedly tells you "How to Transfer Data From PC to PC Using USB Cable."

Let's get this started right: it is not possible to use an ordinary USB cable to perform a transfer between two PCs, even if the cable has male plugs on both ends. You can, however, buy what is known as a USB-USB transfer cable, which has a hardware device in the middle and software to operate that device.

Without that hardware, you cannot perform such a transfer even though Banerji's very first sentence claims that,

"The USB cable can be used to transfer data from one computer to another using Microsoft [sic] operating system."

Actually, you can, if "The USB cable" is a transfer cable. Suvro's problem? He never actually says that you need a special device. Oops...

No, everything Suvro pounds out appears to be lifted from the instructions for a data transfer cable, including such lines as,

• "This should also start an installation wizard." – No, it won't...not unless you're using a transfer cable.
• "Insert the installation disk that was packaged with the USB cable into your CD/DVD-ROM drive." – Wait a minute: USB cables come with installation disks? Did Suvro say this was some sort of special cable? [Looks above step 7...] No, he didn't.
• "Launch the program in both the computers." – What program is that, Suvro?

In 350 words, our Dumbass of the Day never once mentioned that this is not an ordinary cable. And here you were wondering why Banerji was receiving such a special honor... now you know. So much for learning to read while getting that J-school degree!

And speaking of knowing, Jean at EaseUS.com copied-pasted Suvro's bullshit post to the company's website (complete with citation) as an explanation of data transfer, but at least Jean was well-enough informed to know that this only works for "Users who have a USB cable." Presumably, Jean knows that this isn't an ordinary cable... but maybe not.

[EDITED to ADD]: It took a lot of work, but we finally found the original of Banerji's post at eHow.com using the Wayback Machine. According to Suvro, you will need "USB cable [and] Installation CD (included in the box)." In fact, you need a USB-USB cable, Suvro...]

SE - HARDWARE