IT guys... i need your help

[BeirBrennerE30]

Here is the deal I have 2 computers in my place. 2 labtops(work and personal), Also, i have 2 250gig external harddrives and only one printer. The computers get internet via a linksys router which the ps3 is plugged into, the other 2 labtops are wireless.

Is there a way that i can set it up so i can have access to the 2 external harddrives and the printer wirelessly? i feel like i am always dragging around a usb cable that never seems to be long enough to reach my bed and the couch. Idealy i would love to put my printer, hardrives, and router in my desk and be able to print and get files off the drives from anywhere on the network whereever i am with no usb cord following me and also without buying a million dollars of stuff. What to i need to do to make this happen?

thanks in advance

[BeirBrennerE30]

oh come on people...

[kommissar]

I do this all the time. Find someone who is throwing out an old computer and offer to "take it off their hands." Turn it into a computer that does nothing but sit on your wired network and act as a file and print server.

The only requirements are that it has a network card (or get one for $20 or something) and also USB 2.0 so that you have quick access to the hard drives. Since USB 2.0 is a fairly new technology, you will probably have a hard time finding this. If you will be accessing the files over a wireless network, this is less of a concern to you because the wireless network will probably be the limiting factor in file transfer speeds. USB 2.0 operates at up to 480 Mbit/s (60 MB/s), and USB 1.0 is only 12Mbit/s (1.5 MB/s).

Next, install some operating system. The less resource intensive the better. I usually install some Linux distirbution because they are lightweight and free, but I bet you could find Windows 2000 somewhere too. Using Linux I have CUPS to share my printers, or, when sharing with Windows computers, Samba will share both files and printers.

Good luck.

[Jscotty]

That's exactly what I would have suggested. I probably would have gone so far as to suggest installing 98SE, 95 or even NT4 being that you could probably get a fully licensed copy for next to nothing on Ebay or a used computer dealer. You will have to install the printer drivers on the older computer before you can share it on the network. You will also have to install the printer driver on the LAPtops (not labtops) to make things simple.

This may seem like an inconvenient and cumbersome solution but its about the cheapest way to do it. Another (cheaper) option would be to set up one of the laptops as your "server". Just keep that one connected to the router via the e-net cable and plug everything into that.

[1991 318is]

Check craigslist. You can pick up a Pentium II-III system with monitor, keyboard, and mouse for $50-$300.

[BeirBrennerE30]

ok... I am digging up this old thread.

I just got a new Macbook so my old personal laptop is being retired to server status as described above. So currently I have:

'03 dell 8500 labtop running xp that I dont need... server?
250gig external HD
'08 Macbook... new personal computer
Linksys router
Brand new HP printer/scanner/copier
'07 IBM laptop on XP that is only sometimes home... work compter

I woud liek to take the older dell plug it into the linksys router... sit it on a desk with printer and external HD hooked up and be able to access files from that computers HD and the external and print to it all wirelessly from the macbook. Exactly what do I need to accomplish this? how do I set it up?

Thank you guys in advance... When it comes to stuff like this I am clueless

[T.Dot_E30]

buy a new network printer when your ink is done or your current one is ready for replacement. They are easy to setup and you dont need a computer running 24/7.

For storage, they have NAS (Network Attached Storage) drives, they have a few WD My Books that are good and easy to setup, but a little $$.

A computer running 24/7 to be a print server is a waste IMHO.

PS: this is not what IT guys do, atleast not aspire to do.

[Rogan]

I have an Laserjet5 hanging off my router, via an hp print server adapter.. picked it up for like $30 or something.. as for FileServer, I use an old laptop (Gateway 9550) with 512MB ram, and a 10GB hdd with OS only, and a usb hub, with a single 500GB ext. drive.. i just shared the 500gb drive out to 'domain users' and let'r eat..


edit: here's what I use on my printer, because my LJ5M doesn't have network capabilities..

http://item.express.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ExpressItem&item=150284154168

[equate975]

ok... I am digging up this old thread.

I just got a new Macbook so my old personal laptop is being retired to server status as described above. So currently I have:

'03 dell 8500 labtop running xp that I dont need... server?
250gig external HD
'08 Macbook... new personal computer
Linksys router
Brand new HP printer/scanner/copier
'07 IBM laptop on XP that is only sometimes home... work compter

I woud liek to take the older dell plug it into the linksys router... sit it on a desk with printer and external HD hooked up and be able to access files from that computers HD and the external and print to it all wirelessly from the macbook. Exactly what do I need to accomplish this? how do I set it up?

Thank you guys in advance... When it comes to stuff like this I am clueless

Just plug everything into the dell. Then share it. For the HD's just go to "my computer" right click on the drive, then choose "sharing and security" there might be like a blue link in the box asking if you understand sharing or something to that effect, just click it and you will get to the setup.

Just check "share this folder on network" and give it a name if you want. Also check "allow network uses to change my files" so you can write to it.

Start Settings Printers and faxes. Right click on the printer you have plugged in and select sharing. Then click "share printer"

Then the easiest way to connect to them I just go to Start then run and type cmd.

then type "ipconfig"

One will look something like this:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : roc.mn.charter.com
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1


On a windows computer you can just open my computer, then in the address bar type \\192.168.0.5 or whatever your ip is. Then right click on everything that was previously shared and click connect.

Mac though, I don't know.

[s0urce]

what equate said.

[BeirBrennerE30]

ok ill check it out... Probably report back tomorrow.

I dont mind having the Dell on 24/7 I just want to access drives from an external with no wires... having the printer is just a bonus. I think I have found on the Macbook how to access shared shit... just a matter of getting the Dell to play nice i hope.