1 USB device for 2 PCs

[Christoph Holas]

Hi,

i have an external HDD connected to the USB port of my Desktop PC.
Every time I want to access the external HDD with my Laptop I created
a share on the desktop PC and copied the data to my Laptop via network.

Because my Desktop PC is very noisy, I'd like to access the external
HDD without starting up my Desktop PC and creating a Share.

Is there some kind of hardware that makes me able to use 1 USB device
on 2 PCs simultaneous.

I'm thinking of some kind of a USB hub...


Thanks for your help!


Christoph.

 

[Christoph Holas]

Use a small network set up on the dt then share it over a ethernet to the
laptop.

Hello Ken!

That's what i'm already doing!

 

[db]

That's not the solution I had in my mind. I don't want to have 2
computers running.

mm tough.. can't be done. maybe you could invent a hdd switch?

or just not be so lazy, and actually plug the hdd into your laptop instead
of going the network route.

 

[Bk St Crawler]

Hello Ken!

That's what i'm already doing!

Christoph,

There are USB switch boxes that do exactly what. I'm using one right now, a
Belkin F1U200. And, you can also hook a hub to it and use several USB
devices with more than one system.

If you're in the US go to your local CompUSA, if not, check out
www.belkin.com. There are other brands, just do a google search for USB
switches.

David