How do I connect two PCs to the same one external hdd?

geercom

New Member
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How do I connect a Windows 7 64bit and Windows 8.1 64bit both to the same external hdd at the same time so that either can pull and return files to it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
This isn't possible as you describe it. The usual way for multiple computers to access the same drive is to attach it to one computer and connect the computers in a network.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
So how can I do that with the highest degree of reliability such that even if I turn off or reboot one or both of the computers, the network elements, the PCs etc can still fully see and talk to each other as before upon start up? I had issues in the past where rebooting would kill the networking and I would have to set it up all over again. Has Microsoft fixed that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I'm not sure what problems you had in the past but networking has always been a set it up once kind of thing that survives rebooting.

In addition to connecting the drive to one computer and then sharing that drive with the other computer over the network, many routers have a USB port that allows you to connect a drive to the router where all computers on the network will have access to it. With the first method, if the computer that has the drive connected to it is powered down or otherwise disconnected form the network then the 2nd computer will not be able to access the drive. In the second method, as long as the router is up either computer can access the drive regardless of whether the other computer is powered up or not.

What router do you have?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
I have only an Arris for cable Internet provided by the ISP. There is no such USB connection. The ISP, TWC also says that only certain wireless routers work with their cable device and service and they would need to install it. Since I have also had a great deal of trouble with 802.11 wireless routers, I want to avoid adding a wireless router at all costs. Is there a simple wired router that will work between the Arris and the rest of the network and provide such a USB connection for an external drive that all PCs can access? When I tried to use a wireless router, rebooting would change the subnet of the router and the result was that I couldn't even connect to the Internet from my PC using a wired connection. I don't want any of that kind of unreliability happening on my network. Can you recommend a wired router that would work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Is there a model # or model name for the Arris modem/router? I had an Arris modem until recently (bought my own modem instead of renting theirs) and it had a USB port on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
It is in fact a cable modem. It's an Arris CM820A. A compatible cable model with a USB 3.0 port that would serve to connect to the external hdd for two PCs would be awesome. Thank you for posting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
What you are describing is a NAS (Network Attached Storage). The drive becomes another address on your network so does not require any computer to be on for it to be accessible over the local network.

You can get a 3TB for $159 and a 4TB for $184 from Amazon. There are lots of choices available, some going up into the multiple thousands but those would be for business, not home use as a rule.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Buy a router that has a NAT USB port, share it across the network. Don't know of anyone these days who has no router they can control regardless what the ISP provides.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Would what you describe replace my Arris cable modem? Would I need any special instructions or information from Time Warner Cable or a UserID or Password from them? Would I need any special instructions beyond what the router provides? Can you recommend a particular make and model router to replace my Arris for Time Warner Cable Internet service?

Buy a router that has a NAT USB port, share it across the network. Don't know of anyone these days who has no router they can control regardless what the ISP provides.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Buy a router that has a NAT USB port, share it across the network. Don't know of anyone these days who has no router they can control regardless what the ISP provides.

:ditto: Just replace an old dlink 655, for a Asus RT-AC68U both good wireless router. If you don't want wireless just turn it off you still get 4 LAN ports. Here is a Cisco hard wired router this not sure I would go for a refurbish model myself but this will give you a starting point to acquire a hard wired LAN Router. Pretty sure any of these would work with your Cable WAN router. Yes you would need the user name and password if there is one. My Cable modem did not require any the New Asus RT-AC68U figured out my cable modem instantly I had the required information ready to go but didn't need it. This Router also has 2 USB port 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Would what you describe replace my Arris cable modem? Would I need any special instructions or information from Time Warner Cable or a UserID or Password from them? Would I need any special instructions beyond what the router provides? Can you recommend a particular make and model router to replace my Arris for Time Warner Cable Internet service?

Buy a router that has a NAT USB port, share it across the network. Don't know of anyone these days who has no router they can control regardless what the ISP provides.

I wouldn't worry about replacing your WAN (Wide Area Network)router. Wireless LAN (Local Area Network) Router should hook right up for your WAN router. that will allow your network to operate and with USB. your USB Hard drive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
If both computers are on the same network why not connect the drive to the main and "add network drive" to the second.
it is a lot slower you are limited to the speed of your network. you might want to read up on homegroups and file sharing.
Look in win 8 Forums tutorials, I believe there are several there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway dx 4370g
    CPU
    2.20 gigahertz AMD A6-3620 APU
    Motherboard
    Acer DAA75L
    Memory
    10 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6530D
    Browser
    internet explorer 10 and Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
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