About backing up hard drive data

I need some advice on backing up data my two desktop computers. I was
thinking to buy an external enclosure with a hard drive (Looks easy but costs
$130.00).

Or is there a simple way to just hook these computers together with a cable
and backup data that way. I don’t know anything yet about “Home Networking�
or “Wireless,� I just want some advice on how best to spend my money here.

An acquaintance has wireless laptop and says he backs it up to his desktop
using a “wireless modem� attachment on his desktop (Cost under $100.00) and
lets him access all the data on either computer from either computer.

Old computer is a Pentium 4 about six years old running XP Pro. With all the
updates. Two hard drives with plenty of memory and storage. Hardware Manager
don’t give a clue if it’s USB l or USB 2, but I suspect probably just USB 1.
It also has a 9 Pin Serial Port and a Firewire connection.

New computer is custom built with XP Pro. Rev 2. Asus mother board has USB
2, e-SATA, Firewire, and 9 Pin Serial Port connections. Also has built in
wireless that is supposed to work as a “Modem� or “Hub� or something for
connecting other computers.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.



Linusverl

If you have plenty of room on each computers hard drive you can directly back
up each computer to the other. Are your computers networked? If they are both
accessing the computer they probably are. Create a folder on each computer
named backup then share these folders. This link will help with sharing.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/304040
Once they are shared you can configure the backups to store on the other
computer's network share. This will only work if you have enought storage
room. Remember, don't backup the other computer's backup. This link explains
the backup process.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._03july14.mspx
Let me know if you need more help.



"Linus" wrote:

>
> I need some advice on backing up data my two desktop computers. I was
> thinking to buy an external enclosure with a hard drive (Looks easy but costs
> $130.00).
>
> Or is there a simple way to just hook these computers together with a cable
> and backup data that way. I don’t know anything yet about “Home Networking�
> or “Wireless,� I just want some advice on how best to spend my money here.
>
> An acquaintance has wireless laptop and says he backs it up to his desktop
> using a “wireless modem� attachment on his desktop (Cost under $100.00) and
> lets him access all the data on either computer from either computer.
>
> Old computer is a Pentium 4 about six years old running XP Pro. With all the
> updates. Two hard drives with plenty of memory and storage. Hardware Manager
> don’t give a clue if it’s USB l or USB 2, but I suspect probably just USB 1.
> It also has a 9 Pin Serial Port and a Firewire connection.
>
> New computer is custom built with XP Pro. Rev 2. Asus mother board has USB
> 2, e-SATA, Firewire, and 9 Pin Serial Port connections. Also has built in
> wireless that is supposed to work as a “Modem� or “Hub� or something for
> connecting other computers.
>
> Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Linusverl

Thank you Spenceation for your reply, Backing up my data was my only original
thought. I have read the material you suggested and realize that setting up
two computers for networking involves a lot more than just hooking them
together with a wire.

It's possible a little beyond my capability, but It would be nice to be able
to print from either computer as well as back up, so I will try to set up a
network. I appreciate you help and will thank you in advance for next time, I
have a feeling I will be needing more help before I get this working.

Linusverl


"Spenceation" wrote:

> If you have plenty of room on each computers hard drive you can directly back
> up each computer to the other. Are your computers networked? If they are both
> accessing the computer they probably are. Create a folder on each computer
> named backup then share these folders. This link will help with sharing.
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/304040
> Once they are shared you can configure the backups to store on the other
> computer's network share. This will only work if you have enought storage
> room. Remember, don't backup the other computer's backup. This link explains
> the backup process.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._03july14.mspx
> Let me know if you need more help.
>
>
>
> "Linus" wrote:
>
> >
> > I need some advice on backing up data my two desktop computers. I was
> > thinking to buy an external enclosure with a hard drive (Looks easy but costs
> > $130.00).
> >
> > Or is there a simple way to just hook these computers together with a cable
> > and backup data that way. I don’t know anything yet about “Home Networking�
> > or “Wireless,� I just want some advice on how best to spend my money here.
> >
> > An acquaintance has wireless laptop and says he backs it up to his desktop
> > using a “wireless modem� attachment on his desktop (Cost under $100.00) and
> > lets him access all the data on either computer from either computer.
> >
> > Old computer is a Pentium 4 about six years old running XP Pro. With all the
> > updates. Two hard drives with plenty of memory and storage. Hardware Manager
> > don’t give a clue if it’s USB l or USB 2, but I suspect probably just USB 1.
> > It also has a 9 Pin Serial Port and a Firewire connection.
> >
> > New computer is custom built with XP Pro. Rev 2. Asus mother board has USB
> > 2, e-SATA, Firewire, and 9 Pin Serial Port connections. Also has built in
> > wireless that is supposed to work as a “Modem� or “Hub� or something for
> > connecting other computers.
> >
> > Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> > Linusverl