I want to use my cpu as an external hard drive for my laptop. That way I can access via my laptop, files from my desk top PC. How do I connect my lap top to my cpu?

Short answer

Without a router or switch, you could connect a 'Crossover LAN Cable' to the ethernet ports of each machine and then you have to enable file sharing on the desktop PC so that the laptop can get access to the files

I would get a router so you can share the Internet and files and other resources in an LAN

Hi and thank you for your help. I'm glad to know that it can be done. Now I just have to figure out what "Crossover LAN Cables and ethernet ports" look like so I know if I have them or not. :o Both my Lap top and desk top are old.
Short answer

Without a router or switch, you could connect a 'Crossover LAN Cable' to the ethernet ports of each machine and then you have to enable file sharing on the desktop PC so that the laptop can get access to the files

Unless they are REALLY old, like they came with a version of Windows earlier than XP, they should have ethernet ports. Ethernet ports look like larger phone jacks.

A corssover cable will be labeled as such, but before you go out and purchase one (its unlikely you have one), we might want to see if there is a better alternative.

Unless they are REALLY old, like they came with a version of Windows earlier than XP, they should have ethernet ports. Ethernet ports look like larger phone jacks.

A corssover cable will be labeled as such, but before you go out and purchase one (its unlikely you have one), we might want to see if there is a better alternative.

Even if age is a contributing factor, I think it's probably better to use the router suggestion as a basis to start with. Implementing a router into your aged network will give you a greater amount of flexibility as well as scalability for your home usage. Plus, file sharing through a router is pretty easy to set up and doesn't necessarily require the use of a cross-over cable.