I want to hook-up a external hard drive to two computers. how do i get both to read it.?

Question

I have hooked it up to both computers one with a wirewire and the other with USB but only one computer is reading it. What is wrong?

Answer 1

Two computers cannot directly control the same drive. The equipment does not have the intelligence to manage it.

There are two possible ways. Both require a home network:

1) Connect the drive to one of the computers, then network to the other computer through a router, and turn on File Sharing. Then the connected computer will manage the drive and the access from the other computer.

2) If your external drive came with the ability to connect to a home network, connect it to the router with either CAT5 cable, or with USB to a network interface box. Then connect both computers to the router with CAT5 cable. Now the drive will be accessible to both computers as a 'network drive'.

Good Luck

Answer 2

You cannot do this in that way. In spite of connecting it both USB and Firewire, plug your external drive using USB to one of the computers. Then share it on the network (I'm supposing you have a basic network between them using CAT5 Crossover cable.)

Then go into My Network Places. Read-Execute-Delete whatever you want.

One device cannot be connected both USB and Firewire at the same time. It's like to speak from your stomach and mouth at the same time. :)

Answer 3

I don't know, you can try connecting using 2-to-1 usb connecter.