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Thread: Connecting two machines to one external HDD at the same time?

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    ɯʎɔɐɹsɐʌʍ mycarsavw's Avatar
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    Connecting two machines to one external HDD at the same time?

    Title says it all really.

    I have a LaCie external HDD with one USB port and two firewire ports. It's mains powered.

    If I connect the HDD to my laptop using firewire, can I also connect it, at the same time, to my desktop?

    A few google searches pull up "bad things will happen" type responses but nothing concrete.

    Any ideas?
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    Anthropomorphic Personification shaithis's Avatar
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    I don't think the on-board controllers are designed to work that way, so depending on the caddy you may get varying results..........

    I personally wouldn't even think of doing it if the drive has any data on it you don't want to lose.



    What you actually looking for is a NAS solution. There are many cheap NAS boxes around.
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    ɯʎɔɐɹsɐʌʍ mycarsavw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by shaithis View Post
    I don't think the on-board controllers are designed to work that way, so depending on the caddy you may get varying results..........

    I personally wouldn't even think of doing it if the drive has any data on it you don't want to lose.
    It's full of data I don't want to lose. I guess that clears that one up then.

    What you actually looking for is a NAS solution. There are many cheap NAS boxes around.
    Spot on, this was an idea I had just to fill the void until payday. I have my eye on an NSLU2.
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    Pedandic mo-fo IAmATeaf's Avatar
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    Just share the drive out from the desktop so you can access it from the laptop, obviously means that the desktop has to be on.

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    your looking at a network drive to do that most hd manufacturers do them Networked Attached Storage some will aslo act as a printserver.

    luck

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    ɯʎɔɐɹsɐʌʍ mycarsavw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by IAmATeaf View Post
    Just share the drive out from the desktop so you can access it from the laptop, obviously means that the desktop has to be on.
    Laptop & desktop are not networked - that's in the pipeline though.

    Quote Originally Posted by Supershanks View Post
    your looking at a network drive to do that most hd manufacturers do them Networked Attached Storage some will aslo act as a printserver.

    luck
    Yup, see my post above about the NSLU2.
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    Senior Member Workaholic's Avatar
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    Another way is using a switching USB hub.

    About £25 from Maplins


    http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...20hub&doy=19m6
    Woohoo now Assistant Manager!


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    Yup, see my post above about the NSLU2.
    sorry missed that:loL:

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