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Laptop as Desktop's external USB hard drive???

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petreza   02-21-2006 at 06:07:01 AM

Hi,

I need some kind of USB bridge to fool my Desktop into thinking that when I connect my Laptop to it with USB it will apear as an external USB hard drive.

I know this is somehow possible because I read in a review of Sharp MM20 laptop and it did just that all by itself (with the docking station).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

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sturm   02-24-2006 at 07:33:26 PM
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Just map the drive on the laptop and it will show up in MY Computer as a network drive. Basically the same thing you want to do.

Reply to sturm
petreza   02-24-2006 at 09:11:16 PM
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Quote :

Just map the drive on the laptop and it will show up in MY Computer as a network drive. Basically the same thing you want to do.



Do you mean that I just:

1. Share my hard drive on my laptop.

2. Run a USB cable between the Desktop and the laptop.

3. The drive will show under "Network Neighborhood" and I can give it a letter from there (map it).

BUT

I thought that it was impossibe to just run a (straight) USB cable between 2 computers? I thought you needed some kind of adapter?

Thanks!

Reply to petreza
sturm   02-25-2006 at 10:46:46 PM
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You would be better off using a regular ethernet crossover cable. Not only would your speeds be better but networking it would also be easier.

Once the computers are networked you share what folders or drives you want to and they will show up in my network places.
You can also map the drive manually.

Reply to sturm
petreza   02-26-2006 at 01:25:49 AM
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No, it HAS to be USB. I know there are some kind of adaptors (basically a USB cable with a small adaptor built-in in the middlel of the cable). I was just asking if anyone had any experience with that.

However I think with those adaptors (bridges) it actually makes a "Network Connection" - I don't want that - I NEED it to apear as a external HARD DRIVE (or compact flash or something)

Thanks for your help though!

Reply to petreza
sturm   02-27-2006 at 08:42:04 PM
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Just curious. Why does it have to appear as an external hard drive?
Just wondering if your making this harder than it needs to be. Might be an easier solution if I knew why.

Reply to sturm
zyzplasmaz   02-27-2006 at 09:24:59 PM
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yes you want an external 2.5 hd enclosure. here's a some from newegg (this of course requires you to remove the hd from the laptop):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817145751
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817145368

i think the only time somebody would want something like this versus getting a hub/switch/router is because the laptop died and need to recover data so if you were a bit more specific then people would answer more promptly (my apologies if this is incorrect assumption). the other time, if they want a easy to carry storage system and laptop hd are alot smaller then desktop hd, but this doesnt seem to be your case.

Reply to zyzplasmaz
zyzplasmaz   02-27-2006 at 09:29:20 PM
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Quote :

I know this is somehow possible because I read in a review of Sharp MM20 laptop and it did just that all by itself (with the docking station).


also, here's what i can find about the sharp MM20:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1548264,00.asp

notice it says:

Quote :

Sharp also includes a unique cradle solution and synching software. The Actius MM20 has a proprietary connection port on its left side, which plugs directly into the cradle. The cradle attaches to a desktop PC via a USB 2.0 cable. Once docked, make sure the cradle's DirectHD switch is on, and your desktop will automatically recognize the powered-down MM20 as an external hard drive. Using the SharpSync software, you can easily sync the MM20 with the desktop, transfer files, or run backups. Plug the notebook's AC into the cradle and it will charge the system while docked: A battery life indicator tells you when the battery is fully charged.


key words being Unique Cradle solution as this is not very common. most people who need to transfer from a laptop to a desktop will usually have a network solution.

Reply to zyzplasmaz
sixbone   02-27-2006 at 09:58:09 PM
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Then you need to go buy that Sharp laptop, re-read the article....it has a proprietary connection.

Think about it, on a typical laptop, HD's have NOTHING to do with USB at all. NO adapter in the world will connect a laptop, without that proprietary technology, to a desktop and have the HD pop up as an external drive.

Basically what's happening with that proprietary connection on the Sharp laptop, is the laptop itself is designed to power up the HD while the laptop is off and with software installed on your desktop recognize the entire Sharp laptop as an external USB device.....nuff said.

Reply to sixbone
petreza   02-27-2006 at 10:35:58 PM
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Basically I need to use it at a place where they let you plug in USB card readers etc. to the Desktop but do not let me add my laptop to the network. So to transfer files I have to dump them to a Compact Flash and then from the Compact Flash to te laptop. I was hoping to avoid the extra step.

Reply to petreza
Anonymous   01-26-2009 at 06:24:54 PM
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I understand the question...I want to do the identical thing...that is how I reached this forum...want to plug in my laptop when I am home to combine files without having to use a thumb/travel drive to do a double transfer each time...thanks...

Reply to Anonymous
RayHollister   06-04-2009 at 01:27:45 AM
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I am looking for the same solution. I would like to use my Asus Eee PC netbook as an external harddrive on my desktop. I have a solution at home to share my harddrive as a network drive, but it doesn't help me at work or at other people's houses or offices. My Palm Centro can be plugged in as an external harddrive, so I know it must be possible, but from what I can tell no one has written the drivers yet.

You can do this with Mac OSX on a Mac Laptop. You just shut the laptop down, plug it into the desktop via USB or FireWire, and then reboot the laptop while you hold down the letter "t".

Then, Ta Da! you have an external harddrive/laptop!

Maybe I should install OSX on my Asus...hmm... (Oh boy I hope Steve Jobs wasn't listening!)

Reply to RayHollister
r_255   06-13-2009 at 07:13:27 PM
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Just to check you can make a MacBook running OSX connected to a Windows XP/Vista PC Appear as an external hard drive? Also does the cable for this come with a MacBook?

r_255

Reply to r_255
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