Newbie...connecting two computers

infamous21 · 06-12-2008, 06:04 AM

Now i have been doing days of research on the topic searching the net, visiting blogs, forums and ect but my head is still spinning on what to do. I believe what im looking for is remote access or using one computer as a slave to another but im not sure so hopefully someone can help. The problem? Well i have recently come into possesion of new computer (newer than my old one at least). Both my old and new computer both run xp (sp2). I want to connect the old computer to the new one with the old one acting as an external hardrive to store and transfer files easily. Also (if possible) i wanted to still use programs on the old computer (itunes, vlc (movie player) and even games such as wow via ethernet cable (though i know games may be a bit to much to ask for). i want to connect the two computers directly using an ethernet cable or anything that will effectively accomplish this task. Will this make both computers work slow? How would i set this up and how effective will connecting pc to pc rather than pc to external HD actually be? Will i be able to use both computer using one keyboard, mouse and screen? I dont really want to remove the internal hd from the old one and put it inside the new one since i would have no idea what i was doing and i fear i would destroy my new computer. Am i worried about nothing? Both computers work really well and im hoping to take advantage of this. If anyone can lead me in the right direction (links or just great info...tutorials would be great) it will be much appreciated.

p.s- connecting the two computers via wireless connect or over the internet is not neccessary since both towers will stay next to each other...but whatever works best

wmorri · 06-12-2008, 07:43 AM

What you need to connect two computers together is a crossover cable. You can get one of these at a local computer store or Best Buy/CompUSA something like that. Then you can set up file sharing on both and use on as an external hdd if you want to.

I am not sure if you will be able to run program and games from one computer to the other. That is above my head. But, I am sure there are some people on here that can answer that question. Or you can always google it. Remember Google is your friend.

Cheers!

06-12-2008, 06:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
infamous21 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: xp service pack 2	Newbie...connecting two computers Now i have been doing days of research on the topic searching the net, visiting blogs, forums and ect but my head is still spinning on what to do. I believe what im looking for is remote access or using one computer as a slave to another but im not sure so hopefully someone can help. The problem? Well i have recently come into possesion of new computer (newer than my old one at least). Both my old and new computer both run xp (sp2). I want to connect the old computer to the new one with the old one acting as an external hardrive to store and transfer files easily. Also (if possible) i wanted to still use programs on the old computer (itunes, vlc (movie player) and even games such as wow via ethernet cable (though i know games may be a bit to much to ask for). i want to connect the two computers directly using an ethernet cable or anything that will effectively accomplish this task. Will this make both computers work slow? How would i set this up and how effective will connecting pc to pc rather than pc to external HD actually be? Will i be able to use both computer using one keyboard, mouse and screen? I dont really want to remove the internal hd from the old one and put it inside the new one since i would have no idea what i was doing and i fear i would destroy my new computer. Am i worried about nothing? Both computers work really well and im hoping to take advantage of this. If anyone can lead me in the right direction (links or just great info...tutorials would be great) it will be much appreciated. p.s- connecting the two computers via wireless connect or over the internet is not neccessary since both towers will stay next to each other...but whatever works best Last edited by infamous21 : 06-12-2008 at 06:06 AM.

06-12-2008, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: NORTHERN New York Posts: 385 OS: Windows XP SP2/Ubuntu 8.04	Re: Newbie...connecting two computers What you need to connect two computers together is a crossover cable. You can get one of these at a local computer store or Best Buy/CompUSA something like that. Then you can set up file sharing on both and use on as an external hdd if you want to. I am not sure if you will be able to run program and games from one computer to the other. That is above my head. But, I am sure there are some people on here that can answer that question. Or you can always google it. Remember Google is your friend. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever! Learning is doing, not being able to follow steps put forth by others.