Hookup Multiple Computers to an External Hard Drive

penpenguin · 07-06-2006, 05:35 AM

I was wondering if there was I way that I could share an external hard drive through two computers without using the network. I would like to hook them both up to the external hard drive and share it simultaneously using two usb cords.

Is it possible?

Primex · 07-06-2006, 03:03 PM

Good question, I'd actually like to know myself. I planned on buying one today and hook it up to my desktop and notebook, but it would be great to have them both connected at the same time so I won't have to continuously change wires on them.

Bobo · 07-06-2006, 03:06 PM

Nope, it doesn't work. I tried that before.

Trizoy · 07-06-2006, 03:20 PM

So we can define a network as 2+ computers. Now you want to hook a HD up to 2 computers, yet have no network between them. Does data magically go between these 2 PC's?

I guess you could use something like this.
http://www.sfcable.com/store/usb-splitter06.html

"Not applicable with XP"

Sacrinyellow5 · 07-06-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trizoy

I guess you could use something like this.
http://www.sfcable.com/store/usb-splitter06.html

"Not applicable with XP"

I think that would work if you were hook up two external HD's to one computer or a scanner and printer to one computer.

I want to say that some of the larger external HD's have the capability to be hooked up to two computers, but I'm not sure if you could transfer data onto it at the same time.

Trizoy · 07-06-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacrinyellow5

I think that would work if you were hook up two external HD's to one computer or a scanner and printer to one computer.

I want to say that some of the larger external HD's have the capability to be hooked up to two computers, but I'm not sure if you could transfer data onto it at the same time.

I was mocking them... Without a network connection, or the use of a usb port on a router, you are not able to hook one drive to 2 PC's.

Sacrinyellow5 · 07-06-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trizoy

I was mocking them... Without a network connection, or the use of a usb port on a router, you are not able to hook one drive to 2 PC's.

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...0GB_Hard_Drive

Synchronization of data between two or more computers
Soft-touch over-mold enables stable grip for transport
Dual interfaces:
o FireWire compatible — up to 400MB/sec data transfer rates
o USB 2.0 and 1.1 compatible — up to 480MB/sec data transfer rates

Would that work? Or does that mean you have the option of either using USB or Firewire?
But it also talks about Synchronization of data between two computers, that seems to me like you could have two comps hooked up to it. ??

Trizoy · 07-06-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacrinyellow5

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...0GB_Hard_Drive

Synchronization of data between two or more computers
Soft-touch over-mold enables stable grip for transport
Dual interfaces:
o FireWire compatible — up to 400MB/sec data transfer rates
o USB 2.0 and 1.1 compatible — up to 480MB/sec data transfer rates

If they want to buy a $200 external HD... Yes they could do that.

Sacrinyellow5 · 07-06-2006, 04:04 PM

Well now they know the option is available and it is possible if you want to spend some extra money.

oh and something like this might work.

http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...ID=USB421&c=US

Bobo · 07-06-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacrinyellow5

oh and something like this might work.

http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...ID=USB421&c=US

Those are desgned to work with printers/scanners, not hard drives. It may work, but then again it may not.

07-06-2006, 05:35 AM	#1
penpenguin Bit Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2	Hookup Multiple Computers to an External Hard Drive I was wondering if there was I way that I could share an external hard drive through two computers without using the network. I would like to hook them both up to the external hard drive and share it simultaneously using two usb cords. Is it possible?

07-06-2006, 03:20 PM	#4
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mountain View, Ca Posts: 4,698	So we can define a network as 2+ computers. Now you want to hook a HD up to 2 computers, yet have no network between them. Does data magically go between these 2 PC's? I guess you could use something like this. http://www.sfcable.com/store/usb-splitter06.html "Not applicable with XP" __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100 Last edited by Trizoy; 07-06-2006 at 03:24 PM.

07-06-2006, 04:04 PM	#9
Sacrinyellow5 Gigabyte Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 929	Well now they know the option is available and it is possible if you want to spend some extra money. oh and something like this might work. http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...ID=USB421&c=US __________________ Harvey Pekar "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff" ------------------------------------------------- -Tower /AMD 64x2 Dual Core 4400+ (2.3Ghz) 3 GB DDR2/Geforce 8600GT(SSC)/160 SATA HD/DVD-RW/Vista Home -Laptop /Core 2 Duo T6460 (1.66Ghz)/2 GB DDR2/Intel GMA X3100/250 SATA HD/Vista Premium -Server /P4 2.26 Ghz/1 GB Ram/GeForce FX 5200/80 & 250GB HDx2/500 GB External HD/DVD-RW/XP -MAC G4-QS (2x1Gz)/1.5 GB Ram/GeForce TI 4600/40 GB & 2x120GB HD/DVD-RW/OSX Go Cards! Last edited by Sacrinyellow5; 07-06-2006 at 04:30 PM.

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07-06-2006, 03:03 PM	#2
Primex Byte Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA Posts: 138	Good question, I'd actually like to know myself. I planned on buying one today and hook it up to my desktop and notebook, but it would be great to have them both connected at the same time so I won't have to continuously change wires on them.

07-06-2006, 03:06 PM	#3
Bobo banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pittsburgh Age: 21 Posts: 6,623	Nope, it doesn't work. I tried that before.