networking help solicited from the geeks out there

[Full Quiver]

I have an older PC tower that we do not use. Can I network it to the everyday Dell for storage purposes? That would help clean up the hard drive on the Dell. Wen could store pics, videos, and files on the other system. Yes we use photobucket but she wanted an external HD. I figured this tower would be just as good.

How would I make this happen?

[Pastor Gary]

Does it have a NIC card in it? If no Network Interface Card, no networking. They are cheap -- maybe $20 at a computer store.

[Full Quiver]

Yes it has a NIC card.

[beckrl]

Here's how if you get lost.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4471089_install-home-network-xp-home.html

Things You’ll Need:
Two or more PC's
A Router
RJ-45 Cable (Straight through)

[Full Quiver]

I have seen an individual wire two towers together via Ethernet cable with no router. Will that type set up work for me?

[RamboPreacher]

yes. you would just need a "flip" (crossover) cable.
http://www.petri.co.il/csc_the_basics_o ... abling.htm

[Full Quiver]

I can make the cable. Do I just plug and play or do I have to manually set up IPs?

[Paully_44]

I can make the cable. Do I just plug and play or do I have to manually set up IPs?

you'll need to set the IP's yourself. If you are not routing out to the Internet, just use a 10. address. for example, 10.10.10.2 on one NIC and 10.10.10.3 on the other. If you are bypassing a router (which I would do for a scenario like you mentioned), you will need to make sure the cable is a "cross over" as rambo mentioned.

[beckrl]

I would go through the network wizard this would set it up for you.

[Billy n NC]

An older computer will make a great Storage computer. A tower is awesom. usually with those you can have up to 4 hard drives. easy.

I agree with the other post. You can get a crossover cable or an adapter like this. or use the drawings and wire one up.

http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from- ... =12_5_2008

But also getting a Router Wire/wireless would be the better.

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT54G-Wi ... B00007KDVI

This is the way I have gone. I have 3 wireless laptops, 1 wireless tower, and 3 wired computers (and a Xbox) on my router. Works great with Road Runner..

I have purchase dwireless cards etc off Ebay for less than $10 bucks.

Also.

PM if you want and I can help you out via Telephone

[Full Quiver]

I just don't want to set up the old tower as a server because I don't want to have to set up another monitor. SPACE saving you know?

I can crossover the tower with the DELL and not have a bulky monitor sitting around. The Dell is wireless and so I'd have to place the "server" away from it where the router is.

[MacUser]

Storage is CHEAP now. Give the tower & crt to a kid.



LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ 2TB External
FireWire 400 / FireWire 800 / Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Hard Drive 301201U
$259.99

[Full Quiver]

Nice but a product for next year not now.

[RamboPreacher]

I just don't want to set up the old tower as a server because I don't want to have to set up another monitor. SPACE saving you know?

I can crossover the tower with the DELL and not have a bulky monitor sitting around. The Dell is wireless and so I'd have to place the "server" away from it where the router is.

you will still need keyboard, mouse and monitor for the server. if they are in proximity, a KVM would work, though (unless your dell is a laptop).

I understand the need to be thrifty and use what you have. I have done this kind of connection my self before. In my case, I had a basement that I could tuck the "server" into and leave it running.

that may not be available for you. but as mentioned, the tower computer is still a computer, even though you may share a folder/drive on it. that means that you will need a keyboard/mouse/monitor at least some times. it will need rebooted now and again, how frequently depends on the OS on that computer, and how "clean" it is. as a WinIntel device, you will want to keep it updated if it is a current OS.

you may choose to just unhook the monitor, mouse and keyboard when you are not using it. However, beware, that many systems will not allow this without erroring in some way or another. you may have to change some settings in the BIOS to not halt on errors, especially in bootstrap mode.

another issue with unplugging keyboards and mice is that if this is the "ps2"-type plugs, many manufactures do not recommend doing that while the system is on; and in fact may fry the system board by doing so (have seen this a lot, though obiously not an issue with USB)

[beckrl]

You could go this way:
Place your hard drive in a USB Enclosure. $19.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090092%201053807123&name=3.5%22