Creating a Home Network

Chris_Hebden · 20 Mar 2011 at 19:35

Hi all,

I have a wireless router with a PC connected through it up stairs with an external hard drive and downstairs have a laptop. I would like to access my music and files stored on the external hard drive from my laptop.

Is there a way i can do this without the PC being switched on?

How can i do this without bringing the hard drive downstairs?

Can i set up a wireless network to share files through it, with all peripherals connected to the router?

Many thanks, Chris

whitecrook · 20 Mar 2011 at 19:40

What router is it. Some have USB host ports for this. Most do not

J.B · 20 Mar 2011 at 19:42

You can share the hard drive content over the network by sharing the files. Being able to access them when the PC is not on wont be possibly unless you buy a NAS enclosure for it that will allow you to access the hard drive over the network without needing to attach it to a computer.

Chris_Hebden · 20 Mar 2011 at 20:00

whitecrook said:
What router is it. Some have USB host ports for this. Most do not

I have a Huawei EchoLife HG532 (talk talk!!!) firmware v1.07 hardware B.1.01. It does have a USB plug in it, can i just plug the hard drive into the router to share?

Chris_Hebden · 20 Mar 2011 at 20:01

J.B said:
You can share the hard drive content over the network by sharing the files. Being able to access them when the PC is not on wont be possibly unless you buy a NAS enclosure for it that will allow you to access the hard drive over the network without needing to attach it to a computer.

Whats a NAS enclosure? Is it a case of right clicking the files on the hard drive and chosing share?

whitecrook · 20 Mar 2011 at 20:15

looks like a no.

http://www.talktalkmembers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=512646

http://www.talktalkmembers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=40427

So you'll need your PC on.

Or buy a NAS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage

Chris_Hebden · 20 Mar 2011 at 20:24

whitecrook said:
looks like a no.

http://www.talktalkmembers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=512646

http://www.talktalkmembers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=40427

So you'll need your PC on.

Or buy a NAS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage

Thanks, just been looking at NAS. So what do i have to do with the computer to share files?

Chris_Hebden · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:08

Hay all, just wondering if someone can point me in the right direction for sharing files over my wireless network?

Yakyb · 21 Mar 2011 at 16:04

if you get the NAS it should link to your wireless and wired computer without issue

you may have to setup some permissions for it but that should be about it

you will then be able to access it by going to

\\NASNAME\

or mounting it as a drive or Library

J.B · 21 Mar 2011 at 19:07

if you don't get a NAS you can do it with your computer by right clicking and selecting share.

If you want a full guide just google file sharing with windows XP/Vista/7 as appropriate.