Best way to use desktop pc as external HD

OK, so I have a desktop PC that I have been using for years. I also now have a notebook that is short on HD space. They both run XP. It is not worth the money to upgrade the notebook and there isn't enough space to move all the info over.

Is there an easy way to use the desktop as an external HD so I can ditch the monitor, keyboard, etc. and save on space?

Can I just connect them via usb and access the desktop as a removable drive? If I rip the HD out of the desktop and put it in an enclosure, will I need to reformat it (thereby losing all my data?)

Is any of this even possible?

 

Connect them with Ethernet and use NFS.

 

If you just take out the drive and put it in an enclosure you should not need to reformat it.

 

I'd go with the enclosure option.. much smaller and quieter.. you can get single drive NAS enclosures quite cheaply now too.. something like..

* Product Description: RaidSonic ICY BOX IB-NAS900-B - NAS server
* Device Type: NAS server
* Dimensions (WxDxH): 5 cm x 22 cm x 12.8 cm
* Weight: 0.7 kg
* Storage Controller: IDE - IDE/ATA
* Hard Drive: Standard
* Networking: Network adapter - integrated - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
* Power: AC 120/230 V

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Icy-Box-Enclosure-External-Connector/dp/B000KBB6V6

you'll probably find gigabit ethernet ones if you hunt around.. USB only options are much cheaper but not quite as versatile, you could hook up the above NAS enclosure to a wifi router/modem and access the contents from anywhere!

 

I bought this one month ago. I shoved my NTFS formatted 320GB IDE HD into it and didn't have to format. Now my PC and Laptop can access the music and movies on the HD in real time through the network (it connects to the Router/switch/hub). It can also be used with USB2.0. For the networking part, a special driver is recquired to "mount" the drive. With the latest version of the driver (download the "Vista" version, it contains the XP32/64/Vista32/64 drivers.) Both computers can read and write at the same time. Also, you can refuse to give one of the computers the "write key" so only one will be able to write. It's a really flexible system.

 

Thanks for the advice all. I am a bit wary about connecting it to my network. In the alternative, if I were to puchase something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145131
would I be able to just connect via usb and access it on the notebook?

And (last question, I swear), can I still open programs off it or do those need to be installed on the notebook?

 

1. Yes
2. No