Monday, April 14, 2008
Easy ways to add storage
I
have a computer, and recently received my
mother's old one. I take a ton of pictures.
Also, I'm a woodworker, so I collect
patterns, tips and helpful hints. I
desperately need memory space. I would like
to connect my computer with my mother's old
one. My husband tells me that can't be done.
Why can't he connect the two with a cord?
When
you refer to "memory space," I assume you
mean hard drive storage space. Memory is
different. It refers to RAM. This is where
the computer stores data that it anticipates
using. RAM is volatile; it is emptied when
the computer is turned off.
Now, you have several options. If you
just need more storage, you can accomplish
that easily. You wouldn't even need to
connect the two computers.
You could add another hard drive to your
current computer. I have a tip that includes
detailed instructions on installing a hard
drive. Just last week, I saw an ad for a
terabyte hard drive. It was about $200. A
terabyte is approximately 1.1 trillion
bytes. That will hold a lot of pictures and
patterns!
Installing a hard drive isn't too
difficult. But maybe you don't feel like
opening up your machine. In that case, you
could buy an external hard drive. Or, you
could build an external housing for an
internal drive. Sound too difficult?
My tip will make it easy!
How old is your mom's old computer? If it
came with Windows XP, it might be worth
keeping. Anything older probably isn't
worthwhile. Maintaining an old machine can
nickel and dime you to death. I would
recycle an old computer.
If her old machine isn't too old, they
can be connected. There are several ways to
do that. For example, you could use a USB
bridge cable. These are sometimes called USB
link or network cables. They have a node at
the midpoint of the cable. It contains extra
circuitry for a safe connection. I've seen
them online for less than $10.
If both computers have Ethernet jacks,
you can use them to connect the computers.
You could use a hub, or a crossover Ethernet
cable. Ad-hoc connections can be difficult
to set up, though.
Ad-hoc connections also leave little room
for expanding your network in the future.
Besides, your broadband modem probably
connects to your Ethernet jack. You don't
want to rearrange cables when you access the
second computer.
Of course, the computers may not have
Ethernet jacks. Or maybe you just don't want
a bunch of cables running through your
house. In that case, you could use Wi-Fi.
Again, you can create wireless ad-hoc
connections. But I would buy a wireless
router and one wireless card. That way, you
can set up a full-blown network. Expect to
pay about $100 on networking gear. Not sure
what to buy?
My buying guide will help you decide.
The wireless router would connect to your
broadband Internet. Then, you would connect
one computer to the router with an Ethernet
cable. You'd put the wireless card in the
second computer. I have more on
connecting two computers on my site.
You also need to set up your network in
Windows. That's easy. I have a tip that will
walk you through it. You'll also want to
set up file and printer sharing.
My tip has you covered there, too.
Once your computers are connected, you
can share the Internet connection. You can
also transfer data over your network.
If you take the wireless route, make sure
your network is locked down. Otherwise,
intruders could use your network. I have a
tip that will help you
keep your network safe.
Coming up in tomorrow's Tip:
Getting off Google Street View
Video of the Day
Imagine taking the field at a major
league baseball game. The screaming fans.
Your face on the JumboTron. How cool would
that be? Well, some Little Leaguers
experienced that firsthand. And it was all
thanks to kindhearted pranksters. You don't
want to miss today's video!
On your radio
A portable GPS unit is one of the hottest
gadgets around. But they're not just popular
with shoppers. Thieves like them, too. So
don't miss tomorrow's Kim Komando Digital
Minute. I'll tell you how to keep your GPS
unit safe from thieves.
Visit my site to find out how you can
catch my Digital Minute.
Are you keeping your kids safe online?
Read up on the latest Internet
trends and tips for families.
Kim :)
Want
to revisit an earlier Daily Tip?
Daily Tips are Archived for at least 30
days.
Click here to view previous Daily Tips
