Transferring data from one computer to another

Is there a way for me to move files from my computer to my laptop using a USB cable? I have both hooked up but I can't seem to transfer anything. Any help would be appreciated.

I googled and found some programs which do it via USB, but they cost like $40 and I couldn't find any free ones. So it can be done at least.
Couldn't you just borrow a network cable from a friend and link between the two using that, or just stick everything on an ipod perhaps and transfer it?

It has to be a crossover cable for a direct connection, or two network cables if a hub. You can also use a flash drive, which are dirt cheap for the smaller ones now.

Flash drives would be no good, as I'm guessing Raz0r will be transferring gbs worth of files, so that would take ages to do with a flash drive, given they are like 256mb or 512mb. He also couldn't transfer large files like movies either.

I'm going to suggest the crossover cables then. They don't cost too terribly much and, if you're so inclined very cheap to make yourself.

Do you own a router or hub? If so, just get 'em both on the network, on the source comp, share out the folders you want to transfer (or drives if there is stuff all over the place), share a destination folder on the other comp, start menu/run/ "\\nameofothercomputer" and drag and drop to your hearts content. If not, the crossover cable will do the trick.

I tried setting up a home network but my main computer is failing. It says that it does not have permission to access the network but I have no idea what could be keeping it from joining my other computer.

bump

Networks are finicky to set up, especially for noobs. I have had this problem before, I resolved it by googling the error message. In fact, thats how I fix 99.9% of errors I get.

Google, not just for pics of your mother anymore.