help wanted on networking - please

[keyboard flier]

I have just networked my 2 pc's at home using a router. Works ok, can get email and internet access no problem. Can also share files.
My problem is, I can only access the shared files whilst both pc's are on at the same time, what I would like to do is be able to create a shared drive that I can access files when of the pc's is off.
How do I do this?

All help, advice would gratefully accepted.

KF

[gomez]

I guess you'll need a third PC for that :-)

[ORAC]

Depend what you're after. If you want to access joint files from either machine regardless of when the other is turned off, then you need a separate network drive such as the Linksys EFG80 or EFG120. These are dedicated devices with many additional features.

The other option, as suggested, is to use another old machine as a shared drive. You can pick up a suitable complete machine for around £99. e.g. see here on ebay. You can set it up using the monitor from one of your existing machines then just leave it running in a cupboard or under a table.

[RomeoTangoFoxtrotMike]

What you could do is set up an old computer like a Pentium1 or similar as a Software router/firewall. It is obviously becoming quite popular as many people have broadband. A Linux OS or a dedicated router/firewall distribution will do the trick. A Linux router can run Samba (a networking server) to share files across the network.

Generally, the dedicated router/firewall distros (www.smoothwall.org , www.ipcop.org , and www.freesco.org ) don't support being a general-purpose file-server, as that goes against the "keep it as simple, and therefore hopefully secure" philosophy of security devices, which is what a firewall is (but it sounds like you've got a hardware router anyway.) So slap a default build of NetBSD (or Linux if you insist ) onto your "spare" box and you'll turn a PC that won't even think of running XP into a super little file-server. Let us know if you need anymore help with this

[Memetic]

Rent some ftp space and store your files on the web. Access from anywhere - even with both your pc's off