Ext HDD, Printer Sharing - Wasnt Sure Where To Post

Amnesia_180 · 03-06-2005, 07:26 AM

Hey there guys and girls.

Okay, this is crunch time. In a couple of months I am leaving to go off to the RAF.

I will be leaving my computer at home, and buying myself a laptop once qualified. My parents will be keeping my computer, and probably their own one too for the kids to use.

We just want to clear a couple of things up though.

Firstly the External Hard drive.
I have heard some rumours about them. I am just going to list below what I am hoping to do with it, would you then be able to tell me wether or not it is possible to do this.. Thanks :)

I am going to buy an external hard drive, and back up my entire computer (well, the stuff I want) onto this Hard Drive. It is mainly full of music (seven GB of it). It is easier for me to have it on my system because of the surround sound setup I have, the speakers rule an dinstead of having indivudla CDs i put into the computer, It is easier to have them on the Hard Drive for hours of playlists lol! Anyway, What I was wondering, is - if I installed my programs I wanted onto this Hard Drive aswell... does that mean, that I could plug it into the USB drive on any computer, and I could (for instance) play a game on someone elses computer that has been isntalled onto my Hard Drive? Or I could just start Adobe Photoshop and continue editing my images and stuff all from my Hard Drive? This would make life so much easier, which would mean I could continue using the computer at home, without worrying about the little ones messing anything up. But when I get my laptop, I can just plug my external hdd into the USB and run it exactly the same as I have been at home?

Okay, I hope that made some sense, Now I am just wondering if it is actually possible?

Next thing - The Networking/Printer stuff.
Basically, One computer is hardwired to the Linksys WRT54G router. And the other computer is wireless.
Both computers will have internet access, and Networking them is not essential (for sharing files, it doesnt matter, not too bothered about it). But what we are bothered about is the printer sharing. If we were to buy a decent printer, would it be possible to plug it straight into the router? So that both computers can use the printer when they want, without the hardwired computer having to be turned on?

I think that is about it for now....

Thanks again for all your help

Amnesia

**johnwill** · 03-06-2005, 07:28 PM

It's not possible to install applications and then move the external drive to another installation and expect them to work. If you really want protable applications, why not just save the image of the installation files on the hard disk and install them on the target system when you attach the external drive?

If you buy a printer with network capability, it can connect directly to the network and won't require any machine to be powered on. You can also pick up a print server that will handle printers that aren't network equipped, though there are printers that won't work with a print server.

Amnesia_180 · 03-07-2005, 03:13 AM

Okay, So i can buy a printer that will connect to the router (network equiped)Thank you for summing that up.

Now, I do not fully understand what you mean about installing images etc.
How do you mean put an image on the HDD and install to the target machine? And how does this work.
Sorry if i am asking too many questions

Thanks again

Just to add something to the above.

I found this page which says you can install and run programs from it.
Is there a difference between a Desktop External HDD and a Portable External HDD, can't they both be moved around?

Thanks again

**johnwill** · 03-07-2005, 04:26 PM

You can install applications on an external drive and when it's plugged into the system that you originally did the installation on, they'll work. However, almost any application stores settings in the registry, files in c:\Windows, c:\Program Files\Common Files, etc., and those aren't present when you connect the drive to another system.

By "images", I'm talking about copying the SETUP files for any applications you'd like to have when you're on the road, that way you can install them on any computer you connect to if necessary. Obviously, you make individual folders for each application's setup files.

I have a 60gig 2.5" USB drive that fits in my pocket, and I have it loaded with tons of applications for such use. It comes in very handy at times.

Amnesia_180 · 03-08-2005, 04:04 AM

Wow! That is great...
How much did your 60GB one cost?

I am looking for one in GBP (£) . Do you know any good cheap online stores?
Im not totally sure wether I need it to be like pocketsize (for a laptop). Although, In about a year (at the most) I will be getting a laptop, so I think a Portable one (even though more expensive) will be more convienient than a Desktop one?

Thanks

**johnwill** · 03-08-2005, 03:45 PM

I bought my 60gig bare drive for $85, and the enclosure was around $20. The attraction for me was the size, it's not much larger than the laptop drive.

I have a ton of these things around for various uses, three of the 2.5" ones in 20, 30, and 60 gig sizes, and then half a dozen USB/Firewire models for backups and long term storage.

Amnesia_180 · 03-09-2005, 05:48 AM

Okay, this looks like the one I will be most likely to get.. and here are the prices...
I was thinking of the 80GB one. Is this price around average?

However, as i was writing this message, I came across this amazing page

I know it might be asking alot, but could you just take a brief look around? I am after a lot of space (for long term backup and just dumping my entire computer onto it) for a cheaper price.
The Maxtor OneTouch II half way down caught my eye, the same as the Black one at the top did too....

A little guidance on what to get would be helpful :)

Thanks guys

03-06-2005, 07:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Amnesia_180 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 325 OS: Windows XP	Ext HDD, Printer Sharing - Wasnt Sure Where To Post Hey there guys and girls. Okay, this is crunch time. In a couple of months I am leaving to go off to the RAF. I will be leaving my computer at home, and buying myself a laptop once qualified. My parents will be keeping my computer, and probably their own one too for the kids to use. We just want to clear a couple of things up though. Firstly the External Hard drive. I have heard some rumours about them. I am just going to list below what I am hoping to do with it, would you then be able to tell me wether or not it is possible to do this.. Thanks :) I am going to buy an external hard drive, and back up my entire computer (well, the stuff I want) onto this Hard Drive. It is mainly full of music (seven GB of it). It is easier for me to have it on my system because of the surround sound setup I have, the speakers rule an dinstead of having indivudla CDs i put into the computer, It is easier to have them on the Hard Drive for hours of playlists lol! Anyway, What I was wondering, is - if I installed my programs I wanted onto this Hard Drive aswell... does that mean, that I could plug it into the USB drive on any computer, and I could (for instance) play a game on someone elses computer that has been isntalled onto my Hard Drive? Or I could just start Adobe Photoshop and continue editing my images and stuff all from my Hard Drive? This would make life so much easier, which would mean I could continue using the computer at home, without worrying about the little ones messing anything up. But when I get my laptop, I can just plug my external hdd into the USB and run it exactly the same as I have been at home? Okay, I hope that made some sense, Now I am just wondering if it is actually possible? Next thing - The Networking/Printer stuff. Basically, One computer is hardwired to the Linksys WRT54G router. And the other computer is wireless. Both computers will have internet access, and Networking them is not essential (for sharing files, it doesnt matter, not too bothered about it). But what we are bothered about is the printer sharing. If we were to buy a decent printer, would it be possible to plug it straight into the router? So that both computers can use the printer when they want, without the hardwired computer having to be turned on? I think that is about it for now.... Thanks again for all your help Amnesia __________________ ... --[Amnesia]-- ...

03-06-2005, 07:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	It's not possible to install applications and then move the external drive to another installation and expect them to work. If you really want protable applications, why not just save the image of the installation files on the hard disk and install them on the target system when you attach the external drive? If you buy a printer with network capability, it can connect directly to the network and won't require any machine to be powered on. You can also pick up a print server that will handle printers that aren't network equipped, though there are printers that won't work with a print server. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

03-07-2005, 03:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Amnesia_180 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 325 OS: Windows XP	Okay, So i can buy a printer that will connect to the router (network equiped)Thank you for summing that up. Now, I do not fully understand what you mean about installing images etc. How do you mean put an image on the HDD and install to the target machine? And how does this work. Sorry if i am asking too many questions Thanks again Just to add something to the above. I found this page which says you can install and run programs from it. Is there a difference between a Desktop External HDD and a Portable External HDD, can't they both be moved around? Thanks again __________________ ... --[Amnesia]-- ...

03-07-2005, 04:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You can install applications on an external drive and when it's plugged into the system that you originally did the installation on, they'll work. However, almost any application stores settings in the registry, files in c:\Windows, c:\Program Files\Common Files, etc., and those aren't present when you connect the drive to another system. By "images", I'm talking about copying the SETUP files for any applications you'd like to have when you're on the road, that way you can install them on any computer you connect to if necessary. Obviously, you make individual folders for each application's setup files. I have a 60gig 2.5" USB drive that fits in my pocket, and I have it loaded with tons of applications for such use. It comes in very handy at times. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

03-08-2005, 04:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Amnesia_180 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 325 OS: Windows XP	Wow! That is great... How much did your 60GB one cost? I am looking for one in GBP (£) . Do you know any good cheap online stores? Im not totally sure wether I need it to be like pocketsize (for a laptop). Although, In about a year (at the most) I will be getting a laptop, so I think a Portable one (even though more expensive) will be more convienient than a Desktop one? Thanks __________________ ... --[Amnesia]-- ...

03-08-2005, 03:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I bought my 60gig bare drive for $85, and the enclosure was around $20. The attraction for me was the size, it's not much larger than the laptop drive. I have a ton of these things around for various uses, three of the 2.5" ones in 20, 30, and 60 gig sizes, and then half a dozen USB/Firewire models for backups and long term storage. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

03-09-2005, 05:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Amnesia_180 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 325 OS: Windows XP	Okay, this looks like the one I will be most likely to get.. and here are the prices... I was thinking of the 80GB one. Is this price around average? However, as i was writing this message, I came across this amazing page I know it might be asking alot, but could you just take a brief look around? I am after a lot of space (for long term backup and just dumping my entire computer onto it) for a cheaper price. The Maxtor OneTouch II half way down caught my eye, the same as the Black one at the top did too.... A little guidance on what to get would be helpful :) Thanks guys __________________ ... --[Amnesia]-- ...