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"Using another Computer as an extra Hard Drive..."

I have what is basically a spare computer lying around and I want to use it as an extra Hard Drive, and I was wondering what the best setup was to do this.

Could I just stick a USB to USB wire of some sorts into each of them, or is there another way?

Thenkew!

No pictures! :P

Niddle wrote:
> There must be a guide on the net...

What was wrong with mine?

There must be a guide on the net...

I'll have a search for it, and if it seems ok to do I'll give it a go :)

Niddle wrote:
> I would try and stick the second HDD into my comp, but I really don't
> trust myself to do that. I could try it, assuming the only thing I
> could potentiall wreck would be the HDD. And how complicated would it
> be to install/configure/format/etc ?

It's really not that difficult, as long as your current IDE (ribbon) cable has a spare connection on it, it's just a matter of setting the jumpers, plugging in the HD and connecting the power...

Niddle wrote:
> Could I just stick a USB to USB wire of some sorts into each of them,
> or is there another way?

You can link the PC's via a USB link cable (NOT a standard USB).

Here's an image of one [URL]http://www.starmount.co.uk/u_link1.htm[/URL] -
Not as good as ethernet but it works. It got me out of trouble recently as I needed to move data off an old PC with no network card or CD writer and went wobbly everytime I plugged my USB storage key in.

It's the first image I found on Google - I don't know the company from adam...

hmmm....

My only network slot (that I know of) is taken up by my Homechoice connection.

I would try and stick the second HDD into my comp, but I really don't trust myself to do that. I could try it, assuming the only thing I could potentiall wreck would be the HDD. And how complicated would it be to install/configure/format/etc ?

If you're going to run the computers seperately, an ethernet (crossover maybe?) cable would suffice, but as Tomm said, it would be more beneficial to move the HDD into your current computer.

Niddle wrote:
> I have what is basically a spare computer lying around and I want to
> use it as an extra Hard Drive, and I was wondering what the best
> setup was to do this.
>
> Could I just stick a USB to USB wire of some sorts into each of them,
> or is there another way?
>
> Thenkew!

Assuming you have the space why not just move the hard-drive into the computer you're using. Best way would be to set up a network between them, or add it to an existing network. Since I dont know what your current network setup is i cant really comment...

I have what is basically a spare computer lying around and I want to use it as an extra Hard Drive, and I was wondering what the best setup was to do this.

Could I just stick a USB to USB wire of some sorts into each of them, or is there another way?

Thenkew!