How can I use the CD drive on my desktop from my laptop?

Question

I just bought an ultraportable laptop with no optical drive. I'm fine with that but I'd like to be able to connect the two at my desk occasionally to use the optical drive on my desktop. Also, I'd like to be able to transfer files between the two. I was thinking along the lines of a null-modem cable or something? I'm sure there's a newer solution to this problem though. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

If you can connect both to the network (via ethernet through a hub, or wireless) then you just have to share the CD on your desktop (I assume you are running windows) and access it from your laptop.
If you can't connect both machines to the network, then you can set up a 2 node network just by connecting the laptop to the desktop with an ethernet *crossover* cable (and share the CD). You should also be able to connect the two via USB.

Answer 2

You will need to network the two together in order for one to use resources on one and vise versa. You can connect directly if you have a NIC card in both computers. Just plug the proper cord into one and connect in to the other. Then you can use the "network setup wizard" to finish the connection. This is the simplest and cheapest way to do this.

Now, if you want you can purchase a router and either wired both to it after setting it up and then connecting it to your modem, or you can purchase wireless adapters and go wireless, which is the way I would go. This way you could use the laptop anywhere in your home and perhaps outside if your routers range is wide enough. If it isn't you can purchase an extender. Routers can also increase your bandwidth.

I highly suggest you purchase this book, "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking". It has everything you need to connect a home network, add all types of other devices and is easy to read and understand. It is not expensive and will help you with this issue for a long time.

Good luck with networking your PC and Laptop.

Answer 3

the finest way is to repeat the CD directly to a memory stick or flash rigidity or in case you have a house community e.g. 2 or extra computers related to the comparable broadband router or hub, you may 'share' the CD rigidity in the time of your community. to try this, open homestead windows explorer on the laptop, good-click the cd rigidity and chosen 'sharing...' share it and the icon for the CD rigidity will seem to have a hand below it. circulate to your laptop, choose >initiate >Run and form in {DesktopPCName}{ShareName} and you'd be waiting to get admission to the CD rigidity out of your mini as though it have been a actual rigidity - you would be able to could provide the login call and password to your laptop laptop once you initiate the proportion reckoning on the risk-free practices you have set up.

Answer 4

u would need to network these together either via rj45 cat5 crossover network cable, or via usb data transfer cable,
then u would set the cd drive shareable and your laptop would be able to access it.
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Networking/Q_20904095.html

Answer 5

user an ethernet cable to connect your laptop and your desktop. sort of cross-over type connection. share your desktop's cd-rom drive then you can just access any installers inserted into the desktop's cd-rom from your laptop.

hope this one works.. please rate my answer.. thanks good luck... ^_^

Answer 6

share it out... through the network.

Surely you have your two computer networked? right?

Answer 7

please be clear whether you are having a optical drive of the laptop or IDE optical drive. if its an IDE optical drive then please use external usb casing.