06-23-2003, 02:21 PM
the equipment :
1 Dell Dimension 8300, P4 2.66, running XP Pro (legal)
1 Dell Dimension XPR400, P3 1 Ghz, running XP Pro (downloaded corp. ISO)
1 17" Trinitron Monitor
1 Keyboard
1 Mouse
So, I wanna link the two PC's so that if I'm on the new machine, I can access the drives on the old machine - I research, I ask around and I'm told it's simple - get a Network Crossover Cable. I do that, but nothing happens. I'm told XP should see the other computer - it doesn't. Then I'm told I might need to have a monitor and keyboard/mouse on the other PC as well to set it up as part of a network which is fine, but not only did it not work, to have to swap the cables every time seems to be a pain in the ass to me.
I see in the CompUSA flyer this weekend there's something called a switch box that lets you use 2 different PC's using 1 monitor, mouse and keyboard - it's $50 and seems to be the answer to my problem, but it doesn't say whether or not it will let me access the machines at the same time.
My question - how the fuck can I do this without getting crazy? I've thought about getting a router since I have Xbox and PS2 online, and that would make it easier for me to use those as well (currently with Roadrunner, I switch the RJ45 feed from the PC to the console of choice, but I have to unplug/replugin the modem to reset it so the console can read the DNS, IP address, etc. to work). Would a router allow me access to the other PC?
As to why I wanna do this : The new PC came with a 60 gig drive, I've since installed a 120 gig drive in it, and I don't wanna use another PCI slot for a promise card to install the other 2 drives from my old PC - plus there's just not enough room in the case for all these drives. I figure I'll use the old PC as data storage for my music, movies, maybe even try to set is up as an FTP server.
1 Dell Dimension 8300, P4 2.66, running XP Pro (legal)
1 Dell Dimension XPR400, P3 1 Ghz, running XP Pro (downloaded corp. ISO)
1 17" Trinitron Monitor
1 Keyboard
1 Mouse
So, I wanna link the two PC's so that if I'm on the new machine, I can access the drives on the old machine - I research, I ask around and I'm told it's simple - get a Network Crossover Cable. I do that, but nothing happens. I'm told XP should see the other computer - it doesn't. Then I'm told I might need to have a monitor and keyboard/mouse on the other PC as well to set it up as part of a network which is fine, but not only did it not work, to have to swap the cables every time seems to be a pain in the ass to me.
I see in the CompUSA flyer this weekend there's something called a switch box that lets you use 2 different PC's using 1 monitor, mouse and keyboard - it's $50 and seems to be the answer to my problem, but it doesn't say whether or not it will let me access the machines at the same time.
My question - how the fuck can I do this without getting crazy? I've thought about getting a router since I have Xbox and PS2 online, and that would make it easier for me to use those as well (currently with Roadrunner, I switch the RJ45 feed from the PC to the console of choice, but I have to unplug/replugin the modem to reset it so the console can read the DNS, IP address, etc. to work). Would a router allow me access to the other PC?
As to why I wanna do this : The new PC came with a 60 gig drive, I've since installed a 120 gig drive in it, and I don't wanna use another PCI slot for a promise card to install the other 2 drives from my old PC - plus there's just not enough room in the case for all these drives. I figure I'll use the old PC as data storage for my music, movies, maybe even try to set is up as an FTP server.