can I access secondary tower?

[vandium]

Hi everyone.. I was recently given a pc tower with no mouse, keyboard or cables. I want to use it as an external hard drive for storing data since it's a rather large and useful drive, but I need to link it to my main tower to do so. My problem is I can't access it directly and set it up for home networking because it's inputs are all usb and ethernet ports and 'this' keyboard and mouse have the traditional serial connections. If I link the two towers with a type of file transfer cable, will I be able to access the foreign hard drive while it's fire/wall or anti/tamper devices are active? I'd rather avoid buying new hardware just for one time access to the tower when I only want it for storage. Thanks in advance!

[PrntRhd]

You cannot take the HDD from that PC, install it as slave and format it for storage? If it had more security on the drive than that, what is it doing out in public?

[vandium]

I don't quite understand your wording.. I am no good at dis-assembling pc components, plus they are different makes. Please clarify what you mean by 'more security than that'. thanks

[PrntRhd]

The HDD is a removable part and standard size, as long as both PCs use the same cables ie ribbon cables for IDE drive, the removed drive should be able to be mounted in the current PC and plugged into a second connector on the same ribbon cable as the current one. There are jumpers that would likely have to be moved to make the 2nd HDD a slave drive and keep the original PC working off its current HDD. Setting up cables to the 2nd PC will be harder than what I am describing.

You say you are not good at PCs but you asked for quite technical help in your original post.

[vandium]

I understand your point now.. i'll definitely turn to your method if turns out to be easier. Is that the only way to utilize the tower? I would rather link them if at all possible.

[PrntRhd]

OK, let's talk linking them:
How do you connect your PC to the Internet? Cable/DSL?
Do you have a home router or only a single PC modem?

[vandium]

I have a single motorola cable modem, so I'd prefer linking them with a usb cable since my ethernet is in use

[PrntRhd]

USB is slow vs Ethernet, I would recommend a home router, should be less than $40 with holiday sales, you then only need a Ethernet patch cable to connect both PCs to the router (cost depends on length).
The main issue in this instance is whether you have admin rights to the new tower. If you cannot log on you cannot get any configuration done on it.
What operating system is on the new tower?

Edit: I moved this to local networking forum.

[vandium]

THAT my friend is my main concern. I don't want to spend $30 on a crossover cable or other hardware if the new tower won't allow me access simply through a port. I naturally have no details on the security settings because of my earlier statements. I can only assume the pc will resist penetration unless the connection being made is a mouse or keyboard. Am I somewhat correct here? The reason I prefer this more complicated method is that the media I want to store is precious photo's and videos of my new daughter that I am afraid of losing since my pc is old and liable to crash out soon.. as far as my past experiences. My main tower is only inferior when it comes to the hard drive or else I would buy components and make the other my main pc

[vandium]

p.s. the new tower is running win 2000

[PrntRhd]

Well, the operating system passwords will keep you out of the new tower all by themselves, whether you connect via USB or any other cable if you do not have those passwords.
The HDD remount/format will eliminate those passwords and the OS and the data on the new tower...will make the HDD act as a new one for the price of your labor doing salvage. Your PC, what are the specs there? (Need to know to see what is salvagable).

[vandium]

Well I did power up the tower and plug my monitor into it since at least that has a compatible fastener. There was no password protection.. it went directly to the home screen.. sadly i couldnt do anything more than look at it and shut it down.. know what i mean?

[vandium]

sorry i didn't see the rest of your post... are you referring to the pc im typing on? by specs do you mean basic components or do you want an everest report?

[PrntRhd]

If you can get on it directly, have the tower shut down, then plug in your keyboard and PS2 mouse with it shut off. Power it up and you should be able to use the new tower. A letter explaining the donation would help keep you legal on OS license for Microsoft. Any pics and such can be transferred via email, just email the files to yourself...then receive the email from the second PC when you have than one booted up. Back and forth, using your keyboard and mouse, but always have the PC powered down when making those connections.

As to current PC, yes Everest would be a good way to show what is available.

[Erik]

There is no real reason to have a whole second PC just to store some photos and such. A secondary HD in the main PC is a good solution. If the "new" PC is that much better why not just use it as you main PC? As long as there is nothing of any value on it now just format and install Windows again.

Setting up a network is really the only practical way to use it as a storage PC. It would require you to get a router and connect to the internet through that, which isn't a bad idea anyway from a security standpoint.

Another option would be just taking out the drive from it and putting it into an external HD enclosure.

[Variable]

The concern about security software or password issue is moot. If you can boot up and look at the old pc you can use file sharing to connect the machines. The only issue with networking is if you could not access the OS. Since you have access you can set up networking.

If the cable modem only has one LAN port then you need to buy a crossover cable, hub, switch or router to network them. If the machine is only useful for the hard drive, PrntRhd's suggestion of removing the hard drive and adding it to the Main pc is the best option and requires no money for new hardware. You will be able to access all the files. What protects the files normally is the OS. When you add the old drive to the new machine the old OS will not be running. The only thing stopping you from seeing the files would be encryption. You have configure encryption manually. If you havn't done this there is no problem.

Instructions for installing a hard drive.
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/feature/how-to-install-a-hard-drive-137179.php

[PrntRhd]

I agree with Erik, the new tower should be used if it is in better condition.
BTW, how many Ethernet ports does the new tower have? If more than one, you could theoretically do ICS with the new tower to the old PC, but the Everest report should show how hard that might be.
I would also be surprised if no older standard PS2 and keyboard ports are there as well.