Confusion about the networking

[Bistromaths]

I have just today received my first apple computer, a MacBook Pro. I have been trying to set it up fully (already I have not been able to boot camp Windows due to only having SP1 CD). I find that I am not able to access external hard drives from my network where I am able to easily access standard drives.

Just to give you some information about the setup: I am using the lower-end MacBookPro which is running (obviously) the latest OSX. My desktop is running XP (with all the latest updates) Home edition. I am using a 54g wireless router, and migrating to a wired router is just not a solution.

The error message that comes up when I try to access my external hard drive through Finder is "The alias "Master" could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found."

The way I am currently doing it is to go to Network-MSHome-Master and then clicking "Connect" which brings up the list of folders I have chosen to share on my desktop. I am going through the exact same process to access both types of hard disk, but it doesn't seem to like me accessing the external one. The external one contains my massive library of videos which I would rather like to be able to watch around the house too

 

[kolax]

I'm a bit confused by your set up.

You have a wireless router, that is attached to the wired router (which will work fine) and I assume the external hard drives are connected to the wired router?

 

[RichL]

... and I assume the external hard drives are connected to the wired router?

I have been looking on Google for instructions or any info regarding adding an external HD to a wired network. Could you explain how it works in this thread or a PM?

 

[russell.h]

I'm not sure if there is a simpler way to do it, but with regards to your bootcamp problem try a thing called "slipstreaming", where essentially you copy the install CD to your hard drive, integrate SP2, then stick the whole mess back on a CD.

See http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp for some idea how to go about it.

 

[kolax]

I have been looking on Google for instructions or any info regarding adding an external HD to a wired network. Could you explain how it works in this thread or a PM?

You can share an internal hard drive that belongs to a computer over a network by using Apple's Bonjour software (also available for Windows').

If you want share an external hard drive over a network, the easiest way is to buy an Airport Extreme. If you already own a router, and it doesn't have any USB ports that offer the functionality of connecting a hard drive, then you'll need to buy a network drive that plugs in by Ethernet connection. These tend to be quite a bit more expensive than your standard external drive, and most only have Ethernet connectivity, so you're limited to only using it on the network.

This applies to both wired and wireless networks - same concept.

 

[RichL]

You can share an internal hard drive that belongs to a computer over a network by using Apple's Bonjour software (also available for Windows').

If you want share an external hard drive over a network, the easiest way is to buy an Airport Extreme. If you already own a router, and it doesn't have any USB ports that offer the functionality of connecting a hard drive, then you'll need to buy a network drive that plugs in by Ethernet connection. These tend to be quite a bit more expensive than your standard external drive, and most only have Ethernet connectivity, so you're limited to only using it on the network.

This applies to both wired and wireless networks - same concept.

Thank ya.

 

[Bistromaths]

Whoops, didn't realise i had given the impression that i had a wired router. What i was saying was that i have a wireless router, and that I didn't want anyone advising me to just get a wired router instead, which i have seen on some related, but not related enough, threads.

Basically it's a simple setup: Internet is cable, feeds into the wireless router which blasts the signal out to whatever (Laptop, PC, Wii, whatever...).

Just basically wondering why external hard drive (for me) aren't handling the same as internal ones. Is there a general reason for this? I will look into that Bonjour thing, but as it's now half one in the morning, probably best wait 'till tomorrow.