Connect Two Towers

[PanicButton]

I am wanting to connect two towers. I was using my Dell then it died and I started using my Gateway. Now the Dell is fixed. I have files, grahpics and programs I need on both.
Basically, I am to lazy to sit for hours and comb through to see what files I need to copy to disk. I do not know if there is a way to connect a cable or something to the two of them. I know how to set up a network but I do not see the point in that since no one else will be using the other pc.

Thank You for all your help.

[pangea33]

I know how to set up a network but I do not see the point in that since no one else will be using the other pc.
If you get two computers talking, you're setting up a network of sorts. Even when it's via direct connection. You are, HOPEFULLY, using a firewall router if you've got broadband. That would suit the task. Otherwise you can connect them via a crossover ethernet cable.

[Erik]

I don't really know exactly what you are hoping to accomplish here. As I am reading this it would seem that you have two dead PCs and want to transfer files between them?? :confused:

Maybe it is just because I haven't slept in the past 5 days or so I don't understand what you want. Anyway transfering files between two PCs is easy enough. If you can setup a network, and already have all of the equipment then I would go with that. It will be the easiest way, and require no loss of broadband internet, etc. Using a crossover cable to direcrtly connect them is another valid option.

If indeed one or more of the PCs in question are never going to be used again then just taking out the HD is also an option. You can probably just take out the HD from the dead PC and put it in a running PC as a slave. This way you get EVERYTHNG. Of course if it is the HD that isn't working you are out of luck.

Also no matter what you do be very careful about virus infection. Do a full scan on all PCs, make sure they have updated AV software, Antispyware software, etc.

[pangea33]

...I started using my Gateway. Now the Dell is fixed.
Those 5 days might be catching up with you, Erik. You might consider a nap. :p

[Whyzman]

Hmmmm...if you don't have built in LAN and have to consider all the hardware from cards to crossover cable, it would certainly appear that slaving the drive as "Needing a Siesta Erik" mentioned. :D

Or, might be time to expand your harddrive horizon and slave the old and drop in the new. If you haven't in the past, I would suggest partitioning and storing data etc. that you deem important on a separate field of play. That way, you wouldn't have to be "combing" through scattered data follicles in search of the part you are looking for...:rolleyes: when you want to move data elsewhere.

[PanicButton]

I apologize for not being more clear. I was a mood swing away from tossing both of them out in the yard when I submitted the question.

I have a fairly new Dell that I primarily use and I want to hook the Gateway tower up to it so that I can get to the files and programs on both them plus have the extra space to store some stuff. The only network I know how to set up is with a router and using the onscreen create a netwrok. That is the network I don't want to use since I do not want to use all of the Gateway, just the tower.


I have not done anything as of yet because I do not know what to do and knew that for that very reason I should not do anything!

[Whyzman]

Do both rigs currently have LAN capability?

[jlreich]

If you wan to get data from the Gateway that's no problem. But it sounds like you want to use programs that are on the Gateway as well. It doesn't work that way, the programs have to be installed on the Dell for you to use them on the Dell. You can't just copy them over. Disregard if my assumptions are wrong.

If you want to get your data from the other computer, you need to either slave the hard drive from the Gateway on the Dell, or setup a network temporarily, or get a crossover cable, hook the two computers up directly and transfer the files that you need. Or burn the files onto a CD/DVD if you have a burner in the Gateway.

Slaving the drive would probably be the easiest way to go if you feel comfortable removing it and sticking it in the Dell temporarily or leave it if the Gateway will no longer be used at all. Or if not, then a crossover cable would would be pretty easy, only thing is you have to go out and buy one. But they are not too expensive.

[Erik]

As mentioned you can't transfer most programs. You have a chance with some of the most simple ones, just a simple .exe file. Almost all modern software needs to be installed on each machine you want it to run on.

As for the files you really have a few options. Setting up a LAN, which you said you can do, would be easy enough. If you already have the equipment then it is an added bonous. The only drawback to this mehtod is that the secondary PC will always need to be running if you want to be able to transfer files to/from it. You don't need a whole setup for it though. Just keep the monitor and keyboard connected long enough to get it networked properly. Then just disconnect them and do everything from your main PC.

Taking out the HD and installing it in your new PC works too. This has the benefit of transfering EVERYTHING, so you will never realize that you missed some file months later. Of course it will leave you with a PC that has no HD installed. No big deal if you don't plan on using it anymore. Of course the downside to this is that all of the garbage on that HD, which is no longer needed will still be around.

So to decidce which is the best way to go let us know:
1. Do you still want to have the secondary PC running for anything?
2. Do you already have a router and cables?