Is it possible to share a USB hard drive on 2 computers at the same time?

[mrTickle]

I need to share a USB hard drive between 2 PC's at the same time. Is it possible? ( I'm thinking of plugging the hard drive and 1 PC into a USB hub using standard USB cables, and then using a special USB link cable for the other PC's connection into the same hub ). In theory it should be OK...

 

[Fanum]

Seems reasonable enough...tho I've never tried it......

the usb drive should appear as a removable drive to both machines......I don't know how the permissions protocols would work as neither pc would 'own' the resource but that's the only problem i can see........

If it doesnt work out you could still use the drive as a logical drive attached to one machine and access it through the hub from the other machine i spose.....but i do like the idea that you're going for.

Sounds like a call for a Judge to me.

*knock knock*....Calling Judge !

 

[cookie]

would it not be more normal to network the 2 pc's together with NIC's, then plug the USB drive into one PC & have it as a shared drive?

they'd probably be best, both be running XP though.

 

[judge]

I'd be looking to share the device in the way cookie is suggesting - LAN them wireless or cable. Cheap as chips these days.

 

[mrTickle]

Problem with my network is baby & mum. They're not really up to speed with networks and always start kicking the computer because a logical drive goes missing when the other one is switched off

I want to use the external hard drive as a central file location for both computers. At the moment it's a real hassle keeping track of what documents are where and on what computer, so I thought I'd just bung everything on one disk and set up both PC's with relevant path names to the external drive and all the info hopefully ends up in the one place. If ever a O/S reload is necassary, hopefully all our work files will also be safely off the C drives.

After thinking about it, all I need is a USB file transfer cable that links both PC's together and then just plug the hard drive into one of the PC's USB port. I should then have full access to the each PC's internal hard drive + the USB hard drive, without needing to set up sharing permissions etc.

P.S:- It's USB 2.0, so it's not too slow...

 

[judge]

And if the PC the USB driveis connected to is powered off? Does that not mean the drive disappears?

 

[Padge]

Yep, so make sure you kiss it goodnight first..

 

[mrTickle]

Doh! I guess I'll be getting that powered usb hub after all...