2 pc's 1 drive

lego · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:24

is it possible to have 2 identical machines running from 1 drive (not at the same time)

For my boss who wants to move from home to work with no problems (he doesn't want a laptop)

Would it be possible to have a caddy in each pc and swap the drives between??

Will this create any problems, are there any better ways of doing this?

95thrifles · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:26

Leave the drive in the one PC, whichever he deems as main, and leave it running 24/7 and allow remote access via the other, thats what I'd recomend

J.B · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:28

Well licensing is my firs thought. Certainly couldnt do it with an OEM license. Not sure how it would work with a Retail License.

What I imagine will happen is Windows will through up a stink after a while of it because the unique mother board and CPU codes will be different even on identical hardware. I cant see it working but I could be wrong.

Why doesnt he want a laptop? Maybe a laptop with a docking station so he can use a monitor, kb & mouse etc.

cmndr_andi · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:33

Yea, I wouldn't suggest spapping about the primary drive on the PC. He will quite likely run into a continuous problem with drivers unless the two machines are identical.

Instead I would suggest setting up both PCs the same (same OS version, same applications) and use an external hard disk with a fast connection (eSATA would be my choice) to save all the work on. He can then transfer between the two PCs very easily and not run into driver problems. How does that sound?

clv101 · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:34

J.B said:
...unique mother board and CPU codes will be different even on identical hardware.

...and MAC addresses. For this reason, it's impossible to have identical hardware.

However, in theory it's totally possible. You just need software not to care about changed ID. Does retail Windows care? Does Linux care? Maybe Linux would work?

Hagar · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:38

Set up a VPN which both machines can access, a NAS drive connected to the Home PC with all the data to share would be secure.
You still need two operating system licenses though.

andy

orderoftheflame · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:41

VPN is the way.

clv101 · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:43

cmndr_andi said:
Instead I would suggest setting up both PCs the same (same OS version, same applications) and use an external hard disk with a fast connection (eSATA would be my choice) to save all the work on. He can then transfer between the two PCs very easily and not run into driver problems. How does that sound?

This is the best way in my opinion. Keep the systems configured identically, and keep all user data on an external drive.

edscdk · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:43

your os will keep detecting stuff when you swap machines - I would not do it..

I would install the os on 1 drive and put all the data on another, he can then take the data drive with him

lego · 15 Oct 2010 at 11:46

Currently using it remotely, but his home connection is very poor (sub 512k) and is a major pain.

Would it be possible to setup the profiles to use an external drive (for apps, docs, settings) then just switch that between the 2 pcs. (eg just have barebones os on an installed drive on each)?