Can I connect an external hard drive to two different computers?

[Dari]

This device: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817173040, has two ways of connecting to a computer and I was wondering if I could connect them simultaneously.

 

[Gillbot]

I would say no. I had one that was USB and Firewire and it stated in the manual that you couldn't use both simultaneously or damage may result. I wasn't brave enough to try.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I would say no. I had one that was USB and Firewire and it stated in the manual that you couldn't use both simultaneously or damage may result. I wasn't brave enough to try.

Thanx. Anyway to network this drive without having it connected to one computer? IOW, how can I connect it to the router?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What about setting the drive up as a share? That way you can access it from other computers?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
What about setting the drive up as a share? That way you can access it from other computers?

It has to be shared for this to work IMO.

When a drive is locked (in use) by one system the other cannot touch it. Think of two steering wheels in a motorcar, for example.

The multiple interfaces are for compatibility not simultaneous use. I believe they have small routers that have a USB port that will recognize a USB 2.0 hard drive for sharing purposes too.

 

[Gillbot]

or get a low cost NAS box. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...egory=124&N=2000240124

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
or get a low cost NAS box. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...egory=124&N=2000240124

I heard those only work well with FAT32 and have a 4GB file transfer limit.