Having two computers..

Getting the a new Inspiron 1420 soon (writing a review when I get it too ) but im not sure what to do with my desktop. I'm going to college in the fall, still in school right now, but I'm not sure if I should keep my desktop. It does run new games at high settings with a 8800 gts. My mother suggested giving it to her friend since she needs one. But i specd it out with a new gfx card :'(

 

Nothing wrong with having multiple computers.

I've got a Dimension 9150 Desktop, XPS m1330 for general mobility, and just bought an Eee PC for when I need something really lightweight to carry.

 

do you play games often? If not, then there's little point in having the desktop. Also, does your 1330 have the 8400 or integrated graphic card?

 

Bring it with. I had a desktop and laptop at college with me. Desktop was used primarily, and the laptop was used anytime I left my room.

 

Yup, there are ways to still effectively use your desktop. Keep it in the dorm room, always on and always connected to the internet. Use it to keep all your personal files and programs.

Then, use the laptop with Remote Desktop Connection when you are on campus. Dorms are usually on the same network as the campus WiFi, so this should not be a problem. Then you use the laptop kind of as a proxy for the desktop, and all the non-gaming power of the desktop is available to you and your laptop at any time.

Perfect.

 

2nd what Greg said.

 

Yep I'm gunna order the 1420 with the 256mb 8400gs

Hm I've actually never dealt with networking before, but thanks for the advice, I have a whole new purpose for it now

Do you know if you can access it while it's locked with a password so your roomate can't go through your crap while you're able to get to the hardrive remotely??

 

unless you do some serious registry hacking and patching of windows xp, it only allows one person to be logged on to xp at any time, whether remotely through or physically sitting at the machine.

its actually really easy to set up. just right click on "my computer" and click "properties". click on the "computer name" tab and make note of the "full computer name" (you'll need it later). click on the "remote tab" and about halfway down the windows there is a check box that will allow remote connections to the computer. Click the check box to enable it then click ok.

now whenever you are on the same network (i.e. on campus using the wireless) just click start > all programs > accessories > communications > remote desktop connection. type in the full computer name and hit enter to bring up a window with your desktop computer console. (it will be your desktop from your desktop computer) just enter your login and password and you will be controlling your desktop computer remotely.

alternatively, you can share a folder or printer ( right click, properties, sharing ) to gain access to them from anywhere on campus. to do this just click start > run then type in "\\computer_name" and it will pop up a folder with all of your shared folders and printers. you can access the files normally but double clicking on the printer icon will install the printer drivers on your computer and let you print to your printer from your laptop as long as you are connected to the same network.

however, if you do share a folder you will give access to that folder to everyone on the network. i do not believe that windows xp will let you put a password on the folder. a small fix for this would be to add a dollar sign (shift-4) to the end of the folder name ( rename the folder "bob" to "bob$" ) this will make it so that the folder is hidden over the network and cannot be seen by people just browsing computers on the network. the only way to access the folder is to know that it is there and in the run prompt type "\\computer_name\bob$"

there's a quick lesson in sharing network files!

 

That is one thing about Remote Desktop Connection...it requires your computer to be password protected.

 

You can set windows to autologin even if it's passworded, a bit of tweakui does wonders.

 

But you cannot set it up unless you are already logged in...nor can you edit the registry without being logged in.

 

Eh?
Not sure I'm following you.

How would you do anything on a pc without being logged in anyway?

With a password + the settings changed in tui, he can power on his desktop and it will autologin like it never had a password.

 

You aren't following the thread

We're suggesting he use his desktop and RDC so that he can use his desktop via his laptop on campus. By leaving the desktop always on.

Then he's worried about his roommate using his desktop, so he asks if RDC would still work with a password on the computer. Yes, it can.

Then you come in and say 'well, you can configure a password bypass pretty easily.' Thus scaring the poor fellow into thinking you can somehow install TUI without being logged in...so his roommate could still steal access.

If you want to use a password protected RDC connection, you must not configure TUI to automatically login...otherwise the password protection is worthless.

 

I started off university with a singular ASUS Z71V, but have since moved to a desktop + M1330 combo, which has worked much better. The Z71v was a little bulky to carry to class all the time, so it sat on my desk all day. But for a desktop, it was a bit underpowered and I do still like to get in a game or two every once in a while. 24" LCD + desktop works wonders for productivity, while a light-weight laptop is great for taking notes (which I'm beginning to do much more, at least in my non-technical classes).

 

You should give it to your mom's friend. but you might want to keep the monitor since you'll be having a small screen now. You might sell your video card and stick in a cheaper one for your mom's friend, since I'm betting she doesn't play high end video games, not having a computer and all. You could probably get you or her another monitor for the price difference.

 

Back at you, there's no need.

You aren't getting my point, you said that the rd'd pc needs a password, this means that his desktop will no longer auto login which is quite annoying I find, to get around that while still having password protection, he can do a bit of easy tweaking.

When he logs on through his laptop, the desktop will switch over to the login screen. Thus, preventing unauthorised users using his desktop.

What is this 'scaring' business? I never said anything about installing tui while not logged on. That is the OP's job to set tui up, I'm not 'scaring' anyone or am even attempting to.

 

Okay, I get you now

 

Yay

 

Oh, BTW......

Anyway, back on topic.

Auto-login is actually kind of dangerous since you basically disable any mechanism of login protection. I advise against using it.

 

It's not that hard to to, and I recall having a nice little EXE program which did it all for me. Unfortunately I can't find it at the moment but I'll post back when I do.

 

Nope don't play games often, however I use my Desktop to burn lightscribe discs and it's currently running Windows Home Server. My m1330 has the 8400 so it will do whatever I can throw at it, and I have the Eee which I can use absolutely anywhere.

 

if you don't need it then there's no sense of keeping for the sake of having a desktop. part out the graphics card and give it to your mom's friend.

 

i would love you long time if you could find that!

 

My first year of college, I had 2 desktops and the thinkpad ... now that both desktops died I have a different desktop and 2 laptops - listed in my sig.

It's always nice to have 2 computers. Especially when you pop a motherboard or something major on one and you have multiple papers due.

 

Ain't that the truth.

 

Lol. I'm juggling three systems. My XPS M170, XPS M1210 and my XPS 720. Works fine. My M1210 is my mobile super portable lappy. My M170 goes to LAN parties and my XPS 720 is for every day use and gaming.

 

http://sala.pri.ee/?page_id=11

TaDa!

 

you are the man!

sucks that you can't do it on a domain though =\

 

I think this is the way I'm going to go too, m1330 for mobility, m1730 for lans and what have you and my desktop for raw speed at home.

My current laptop + desktop set-up is synchronised and fuelled thanks to my server, adding another machine to the mix will be easy.

 

Does anyone know how to connect two computers together without a hub? I'm don't know the difference between an ethernet crossover cable and an rj 45

 

RJ45 is actually the technical name for the 4 pair little plug connected to the network cable. Similarly, an RJ11 is the name for the 2/3 pair plug used on telephones.

An Ethernet crossover cable is what you need to connect two computers together without a hub. The reason for the crossover cable is so that the Transmit on computer A is connected to the Receive on computer B and vice versa. A straight through cable would connect both the Transmits and Receives together and that would accomplish nothing. When using a hub, you can use straight through cables because the Hub takes care of making sure information is being transmitted/received to/from the correct locations.

You will also need to give each computer a static IP address, both of which must be on the same subnet.

Example:

Computer A
IP: 192.168.1.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

Computer B
IP: 192.168.1.11
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

Setup each computer with IP information such as above, connect them with a crossover cable, and then you'll be able to share files back and forth, assuming you've already setup file shares.

 

Wow thanks, you must be a tech support guy or something. Have a rep +1 on me

Now I just have to find a cross over cable...

 

Turn the desktop into a Media Center?