Can 2 Systems share 1 USB HDD simultaneously?

Goof

Goof

Goof

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I've got a couple of systems and I want them to have quick, instant access to the same HDD.

I've always found windows sharing to be a bit of a connectivity nightmare so I was wondering if there's any USB drives out there that I could have hooked up to 2 systems simultaneously?
 
Im not sure if this would work but what about just sharing the drive across a network and creating a shortcut to the drive on the pc where the hdd isnt connected¿?
 
Could be wrong, but don't think so :confused:

But you can have a NAS enclosure/drive which you hook up to a router then all PCs can access through the network :)
 
You could share the drive yeah...It would be no different than sharing a drive over a network really.

Only problem is the computer that the hdd is connected to would have to be on for the other pc to see it.

But to be honest it wouldnt be any differnt than what you have already been trying to do i think...Basically doing the windows sharing thing...just with an external drive rather than an internal one.

But something like a drive on a network would probably be easier...like a nas as people have suggested, but obviously they cost money :)
 
Then again...Do you have a router currently between the two computers? For your internet connection or something.

If so you could always get an Ethernet drive, and just have the two computers access the drive via the router.
 
Thanks for the replies :)

Yeah, as mentioned was hoping to avoid using windows file sharing, partially because of security, partially because windows networking can be buggy as hell!

I liked the idea of having an external portable drive and I could just have a USB connection to each system and I wouldn't have all the bother of workgroups and windows trying to find the drive - but from what you're all saying, that's not available.

Delvis - I do have a router for internet, yes. Both systems are linked to it. I take it accessing via the router would be easier? Does an ethernet drive differ from a NAS housing?

The reason I have concerns over connectivity/security is that I'll be using it for my business and I can't afford to have one of those days where windows decides the network isn't going to work and will take 2 hours of farting about to fix, I need bullet-proof connectivity!
 
Yeah I see your point, usb would just be easier, not sure if you can get a usb drive that allows you to plug it into two pc's at once...Probably end up causing conflicts and everything.

Only reason i said about the router is cause then both computers can access the drive whenever they wish really. But again if for some reason the router dies that obviously means both computers wont be able to access the hdd. If the net connection was to go down I don't "think" you would loose connection to the drive, as the two are basically connected anyway with the router just acting as a share point theoretically. But someone who has done this would have to confirm.

I'd have to look into it really, I'm not too up to date on NAS boxes etc.
 
No worries, now that I've clarified my reasons/usage/concerns hopefully someone can help - but from the sounds of it NAS connected via router may be the way to go.
 
Yep, NAS is probably the easiest option, well a drive that can be connected to a network, as that's basically what a NAS is :p

Have a hunt around though, there may be alternative ways of doing this :)
 
i just bought the DLinkDNS323, 2 bay SATA that connects to a router, and is a print server too.
i'm sticking 2 Samsung 500GB in Raid 1 (need backup more then speed).
 
bandit said:
i just bought the DLinkDNS323, 2 bay SATA that connects to a router, and is a print server too.
i'm sticking 2 Samsung 500GB in Raid 1 (need backup more then speed).
Click to expand...
Nice :)

Post up a mini-review (with pics) if or when you can? Looking at going NAS from plain-external (USB/eSATA - latter's very fast).
 
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