Joining 2 CPUs

[Thakey]

Can anyone tell me whether it is poss to link two computers together , (using the CPU of one as an external hard drive.) Both CPUs are DELL and basically identical apart from one has a 80Gb Hard drive and my usual one only has 28Gb. I have very lttle space on the 28Gb machine and wnat to use the other 80Gb for storing music/ photos etc. you may wodner why i don't just use the bigger one . I'm not sure if it is fully functional and all my internet etc is already set up on the smaller one.(which is now going very slow!)
Thanks for any ideas.. Basically I want one for my Itunes but don't think my darling wife will let me have 2 monitors in the lounge!

[ChuckFickens]

yes, it's very basic networking.

If you have a broadband router and an ethernet card in each one then you pretty much have everything you need.

But!!!

If your not sure if the larger one is fully functional and it's not being used for anything then why not just remove the hard drive from it and fit it as an second drive in the first computer. The what you suggest doing it both computers would have to be fully functional and both would have to be switched onj at all times you were using one.

[VHG]

>using the CPU of one as an external hard drive

Either you have your terminology totally wrong, or you have no idea how computers work.

You cannot use a CPU as an external hard drive.

[VHG]

Why not buy an external hard drive in an enclosure and plug it into your USB port.

You can get an external hard drive anywhere (PC World etc) and this is very easy to do and requires no technical knowledge and no knowledge of networking.

You can then store your photos & music on this external hard drive.

Something like this:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_pag e.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0973556455.1238097649@@ @@&BV_EngineID=ccfdadegldljedgcflgceggdhhmdgmk .0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=32 4729&category_oid=-32889

[Thakey]

Thanks chuck -thought you would be back. I was given thissecond one because the previous owner said it was running slow - so i thoought i could ad an extra drive to my existing cpu but there does not seem any ideal 'slot' for it.
The newer 'larger HD' one has all the slots used by 2 different cd/dvd readers /writers and an a drive. the hard drive seems to be fixed to the front case or is hiding quite cleverly. i havent looked in my existing one but will do (now! or when logged off) and if there a a blatent place for anotherhard drive i'll try your suggestion. The other pc boots up fine but lacking programms etc. so rather continue with the devil i know ..I'll be back!

to VHG i know your suggestion is thec right one , but I have to slowly incorporate new hardware and need a cunning plan which may happen if this one doesn't work!!)
thanks both. If i win lottery I just treat myself to a new big one!

[Thakey]

Hello Chuck & VHG, I'm back again which means my usual pc still working. There is a space in my existing pc to take another drive, but much easier to add on to the vertical hd at the bottom. only prob is the ribbon cable has no option of another drive connection and mother board is full. There is a ribbon cable from '0' drive CD/DVD with a spare plug labled '1' drive and if the second hard drive could be adapted to fit this vacant slot the plug and power lead would reach. Is it as simple as buying another ribbon cable wtih a second plug to fit the second drive? There is a spare power plug that would fit. I could also exchange the ribbon with the spare plug from the DVD so it would fit.
i don't want to pick your brains too much but if it would work (I could prob get my local computer repair man to assist. but if it is a simple as plug and play i'll have a go myself.)
- I could also remove my floppy drive using the space and connections.
Finally (for time being!!) would the jumper plug on the second (additional) HD be set for 'cable select' (as it is at present).
Many thanks agin for your interest and help.

[ChuckFickens]

Your doing well :)

your computer has two IDE channels (that's the two ribbon cables) each of these can support two devices with the correct cable.

so the drive could be mounted in either place, the cable is cheap to enable you to mount it by the current drive (if anyone charges more than �5 for a dual IDE cable shoot them!!) , or it could attach to the cable going to your CD drive, but the exact way to get each to work is very slightly different.

[Thakey]

Thanks Chuck..
i've prob got a spare IDE cable in the 'second' pc I'll have a try..
One other thing will my existing pc still recognise the original 28Gb HD as the master or is there a chance the additional New 80Gb Hd will take over. I hope there are options when I plug and play and the pc finds new hardware.. but I wouldn't like it to boot-up with the new drive.

cheers your help..
Peter

[VHG]

If you put BOTH hard drives on the SAME IDE cable then you need to set one as MASTER and one as SLAVE.

This is done by using a small "jumper" on the back of the hard disk. There should be a small diagram on the hard disk case showing how to set the jumpers.

Normally you plug the master on the END of the cable and the SLAVE in the middle of the cable.

If you are putting the hard drives on SEPARATE IDE cables then the computer should continue to boot from the original hard disk if you dont move the cable.

Note that if you are putting the hard drive on the same IDE cable as the CD/DVD drive you need to set one of them as MASTER and one as SLAVE.

[Thakey]

thanks VHG thats the answer I wanted. I .ll do it tomorrow.. if I'm not heard of in the next days you know I've messed tinks up (to put it politely!!)

If anyone has any other helpful suggestions please do it tonight in case its too late.