Home PC Networking
 

I am looking to network two hard-drives to the same screen, printer, mouse and keyboard. I require both hard-drives for different applications but Im fed up with having to disconnect the leads between PC's to accomplish these applications. Advice appreciated.

fly babe,

When you say "network two hard-drives" do you mean network two complete PCs?

The last part of your post suggests that you have two PCs, but one keyboard, mouse, printer and monitor and if that's the case it's not too difficult.[list=1][*]You can buy a KVM switch. After hooking up all your gear you can switch your keyboard, mouse and monitor from one computer to the other. Doesn't switch your printer, though, unless there is a KVM switch that will also switch a printer. Maybe someone like Richard of Naples Air Centre can advise on that. And/or try a Google search on KVM switch and see what's on offer.[*]If you can't ket a KVM switch that will also switch your printer, you will need to network your two PCs so that they can share the printer. Easy as (theoretically), depending on your OS. You didn't say what OS you had - Win XP makes it a cinch. Your computers may already have built in LAN. If so, get a Cat 5 crossover cable and hook them together, get someone to help you get the network running, share the printer and you're off.

If one or both of your PCs does not have inbuilt LAN you will need to buy a network card for one or both (they're cheap), install it and its drivers, then install and set up the network as above. (Again, OS dependent - with XP it's easy. Win98 flavours are a bit harder.)[/list=1]

Regardless of the KVM switch, I'd network the PCs. You can then set things up so that you can operate either computer from the other, share and swap files, etc.

AA

I guess you mean that you want to use one monitor, mouse and keyboard with 2 PC base units?

If bothe base units can be placed close togetehr I would not go to the trouble of networking, but would suggest a KVM switch, a little gadget designed for just this use!

have a look here www.dabs.co.uk and search for 2-port KVM with cables to get an idea what i am on about!

I hope this helps

Regarding KVM switches, I have just got myself one of these. Cheap, and works perfectly.

Then again there is my arrangement shown in this thread. You can mix and match any number of Hard Disks exchanging Masters and Slaves to suit the requirement without losing access to the data on the non-boot disk.

"External" hard disk drive