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how to connect 2 computers, only one has a file hardrive, how would I connect?

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Galeeno
Galeeno Posts: 295 Forumite
edited 20 March 2013 at 6:46PM in Techie Stuff
Computer one + Monitor 1, (internet access to this one)

Computer 2 + Monitor 2 (just used for creating graphics, webpages/dream weaver)


Computer 1 has a secondary internal hardrive,(sata Seagate) which has all the files, that I need for BOTH computers.

so files hardrive on computer1 will be needed for both computers.

What are my options?

- I want to switch on both computers, and used them alternatively which BOTH have access to the files on the internal hardrive on computer 1.

(I don’t want to keep switching files with a USB penstick, and don’t want to spend loads on a new drive).

and I dont want to disconnect the secondary hardrive, and keep switching them...every time.

a USB - USB wire ? which connects both computers and detects the hardrive, when I am using computer 2?

on computer 2 will that usb wire when used, detect the hard drive on computer 1?



note, only PC 1 is connected to the net.

I don't want PC 2 connected to the net


Edit
Both are running Windows XP Media center edition

and the ethernet port on computer 1 is used for the router, it has a ethernet wire inserted in it.
«134

Comments

  • jaybeetoo
    jaybeetoo Posts: 1,363 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Are both PCs connected to your modem/router?
  • S0litaire
    S0litaire Posts: 3,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If they both have network sockets then pick up a cheap router/hub (your ISP modem might have more than one Network socket so you can use that.)
    and a couple of Network cables and plug them both into the router.

    Then "share" the Seagate Drive on the main PC.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

    Then on the other PC you can right click on "My Computer" and select "Map Network Drive"

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308582
    Laters

    Sol

    "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
  • Galeeno
    Galeeno Posts: 295 Forumite
    edited 20 March 2013 at 4:18PM
    jaybeetoo wrote: »
    Are both PCs connected to your modem/router?

    no, only PC 1 is connected to the net.

    I don't want PC 2 connected to the net
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 20 March 2013 at 8:32PM
    network them both, map a drive to the computer one data, and disconnect the internet connection on the router when you need access, or use a software firewall or router rules to block net access, or use a nas enclosure.

    And don't put all you eggs in one basket if they aren't backed up somewhere
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Then you could use an ethernet crosssover cable to directly network the two PC's. What OS are you running on each one?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • StuC75
    StuC75 Posts: 2,065 Forumite
    Having Networked and on the Net are two different things! How do you run updates on the second machine?

    Have both machines on home network, but configure your network router to prevent computer 2 from having access to the internet.

    Use Network Shares to enable Disk 2 of PC2 to the home network..

    another suggestion to save Wear on PC2, and electricity (since has to be on to share to pc1) is some form of Network Address Storage so that Hard Drive can always be shared to the network (these typically use less power than a PC).
  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 8,107 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If computer 1 connects to the internet, it may well do that through its (only) Ethernet port.
    So, connecting computer 2 to the internet modem/router via Ethernet, assuming it has a spare port, and networking the computers that way seems the best solution.
    I fail to see why you wouldn't want computer 2 to connect to the internet if you use it for creating web pages with Dreamweaver?

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  • Galeeno
    Galeeno Posts: 295 Forumite
    edited 20 March 2013 at 6:43PM
    macman wrote: »
    Then you could use an ethernet crosssover cable to directly network the two PC's. What OS are you running on each one?

    Edited above

    Both are running Windows XP Media center edition

    and the ethernet port on computer 1 is used for the router, it has a ethernet wire inserted in it.
  • culpepper
    culpepper Posts: 4,076 Forumite
    you could get a usb connector to do that. I got one in maplins quite a long time ago which worked for two xp machines.
    You just plug each end into a usb port and run a little program and you can see the folders on each machine and drag and drop between them.
    I think it was called a bridging cable.
    Anyway if you google it I expect you will find many versions.
    It isnt just a normal usb cable.
    Or if they both have bluetooth I think you could use that but I havent tried that myself.
  • Basil1234
    Basil1234 Posts: 1,146 Forumite
    well sort of obvious, computer 2 run Ethernet cable back to router, map a network of the two and firewall block the net for machine 2 or do same wireless if there are cabling issues.
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