Network Question

[Wardy]

I have a desktop PC that is connected to my BT Home Hub via an Ethernet cable. I also have a laptop that I connect to my hub via wireless. My desktop also has a external hard drive attached to it. Is it possible to be able to read files from the external hard drive on the laptop without the obvious method of plugging the hard drive into the laptop?

 

[Titanic]

Assuming you are using Windows on both PCs then yes it is pretty easy... just make sure the two PCs have the same WORKGROUP name and you set the folders you want to be shared in the Properties / Sharing tab... and off you go.

Also, if you have software firewalls in place you may need to permit the file-sharing access.

 

[bhaexpress]

I have a desktop PC that is connected to my BT Home Hub via an Ethernet cable. I also have a laptop that I connect to my hub via wireless. My desktop also has a external hard drive attached to it. Is it possible to be able to read files from the external hard drive on the laptop without the obvious method of plugging the hard drive into the laptop?

Yes, easy if you know how. You need to set up a peer to peer network, I.E. you need both PCs to see each other. Might pay you to use a fixed IP on both. All you do when you can see both from each other is set up a shared directory on both. The 'Help' function will tell you how to do this. Right now I can see five different PCs which are all WiFi and over 100 years apart.

If in doubt Google 'Peer to Peer network'.

 

[gullshark]

Yeah it's completely possible, you leave it plugged into the desktop and share it within windows and as long as you keep the desktop on you should be able to browse to it.

An easier way of doing it is by purchasing what's called a NAS, which is basically an external hard drive but instead of USB it's got a network port, saves having a PC on all the time.

 

[Titanic]

... there is lots of info on the web about doing this...

e.g. How to configure file sharing in Windows XP

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Right now I can see five different PCs which are over 100 years apart.

At least one of them is a pencil, I presume.

 

[bhaexpress]

At least one of them is a pencil, I presume.

Abacus actually.