Using Old Desktop as External Harddrive and Transferring Files between Two

I

IrishGunner

Registered User
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Just got new desktop and want to use the old desktop hard drive as an external hard drive

Is it cross over cables I need to transfer any files I need first as I want to format the drive
and then start using it as external hard drive ?

I was going to get a large usb storage pen or burn files to a cd-rw but wondering if cross over
cables are the best option

Also best place to get them and is this the best option ?
 
Why not just take the hard drive out of the old desktop and install it (temporarily or permanently) as a non boot drive in the new one? You can then copy files and reuse the storage space if you like.
 
ClubMan said:
Why not just take the hard drive out of the old desktop and install it (temporarily or permanently) as a non boot drive in the new one? You can then copy files and reuse the storage space if you like.
Click to expand...

Would like to but would not be to confident of doing this thus the reason for the cross over cable
 
If both are running Windows and you have a home LAN/router to which you can connect both desktops (wired or wirelesly) then why not just share the necessary folders from one to another?
 
ClubMan said:
If both are running Windows and you have a home LAN/router to which you can connect both desktops (wired or wirelesly) then why not just share the necessary folders from one to another?
Click to expand...


Yes was looking at that. Basically one PC running of Windows XP Home and new pc working of Vista home so will this work ?

Working wireless so old pc has a usb adapter and new has built in card

So will this work working of 2 different operating systems ?

If so whats the easiest way of doing this ?
 
IrishGunner said:
Yes was looking at that. Basically one PC running of Windows XP Home and new pc working of Vista home so will this work ?
Click to expand...
Should do. Just configure them both on the same workgroup and then share the folders.
If so whats the easiest way of doing this ?
Click to expand...
Google for tips on setting up a home workgroup and sharing folders.
 
Yes, I use same setup of Vista on new and XP on old with a basic LAN connection and it works fine. Easiest way to have offline storage for the main PC I find.
 
Just make sure that your router and/or desktop firewalls and other security software are adequate and kept updated to avoid the possibility of anybody hacking in and accessing your shares.
 
runner said:
Yes, I use same setup of Vista on new and XP on old with a basic LAN connection and it works fine. Easiest way to have offline storage for the main PC I find.
Click to expand...


How can I do this. Checked the microsoft website and looks ok but what if I only have one monitor and want to share files that way. So how would that work ?

Checked on Boards and they recommended getting an [broken link removed]

But how do I know which one to get and how will I know the harddrive will fit into this?
also have never opened pc case so how will I know harddrive and is it easy to remove or possible break
 
How can I do this. Checked the microsoft website and looks ok but what if I only have one monitor and want to share files that way. So how would that work ?

Surely once you have setup the network capability on the XP PC, workgroup, file sharing etc, you do not need a monitor on after that, as it will be used just as an overflow disk drive mapped from the vista PC?
Make sure that any logons or passwords are blank so that a couple of return keys will restart it if and when its turned off, without any monitor required.

Peer to peer networking is pretty automatic on the Vista, so it should be very easy to setup.
 
IrishGunner said:
How can I do this. Checked the microsoft website and looks ok but what if I only have one monitor and want to share files that way. So how would that work ?
Click to expand...
You can plug and play the monitor between the two PCs are you need to work on them!
Checked on Boards and they recommended getting an [broken link removed]

But how do I know which one to get and how will I know the harddrive will fit into this?
also have never opened pc case so how will I know harddrive and is it easy to remove or possible break
Click to expand...
Given this information you really should get personal advice from somebody with technical expertise in this area. Ask the nearest teenager and they will probably know or know somebody who does.
 
Ok open up PC and Hard Drive Seagate info [broken link removed]

Pics of HD below

[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]

So what type of enclosure would I need is it the IDE but is it the 2.5 or the 3.5 as checked on Komplett and they have both?

Also is it better to recycle the rest or try to sell without HD would it be worth it ?

spec

e PC

OS

Windows Xp3

Processor
2.00 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board
Board: K8T800P-8237
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 10/13/2004

Memory Modules
512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 512 MB
Slot 'A1' is Empty

Bus Adapters

D347PRT SCSI Controller
VIA Serial ATA RAID Controller
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller (4x)
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller

Communictions
1394 Net Adapter
802.11b/g USB Wireless LAN Adapter #2

Others
VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
USB Root Hub (5x)
pcouffin device for 32 bits systems
 
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