question about wireless networks/file sharing

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by PacketCollision

or maybe windows is trying to generate movie thumbnails over the network.

This.

If you even access the folder in Explorer, it's going to generate thumbnails (over the network) for every single file that you scroll across. It's also been my experience that this slows down both PC's.

[NooDle]

don't think it is, as it's default setting is "list", and even so, most of the files are in different directories...

all of the MP3 ones are in 26 folders A-Z so browsing through several thousands of them slows stuff down, but that's not because of the laptop stealing bandwith, my regular desktop has trouble with more than 2000 or so at a time...

[TechZ]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

This.

If you even access the folder in Explorer, it's going to generate thumbnails (over the network) for every single file that you scroll across. It's also been my experience that this slows down both PC's.

Windows XP generates an index for AVI files, I always turn this off.

http://software.bootblock.co.uk/?id=windowsxpavifix

Windows XP AVI Fix was created to help alleviate the problem a lot of XP users have: selecting an .avi file in Explorer causes Explorer to lock that file while it attempts to extract video and audio summary information from it. While doing this, the file is completely locked and cannot be renamed, moved, or deleted. On big .avi files, this lock can last for minutes.

[NooDle]

hmmmm... another issue.
Is there a way to have a shared folder somewhere, where I can always access it from BOTH pcs?
Now I have a bunch of files on both PCs, which is a bit clunky, and I download files on both PCs, which means I spend a lot of time transferring between both...

Also, both need to be turned on for this to work, which isn't always the case...

trouble is, if I have a "dedicated" download PC and a "dedicated" PC for watching/listening stuff on, these are 2 different machines, so again, both need to be on to access the other

Can I have something like an external drive with a Wifi connection? Then I can dump whatever downloads I have there, and access it from either PC without the other one needing to be on.

[PacketCollision]

Try an Asus AL-500G and an external USB hard drive with DD-WRT or just buy a NAS

[NooDle]

ooh, shiny! I think i have an USB port on my current router though, could I just hookup an external HDD there and use it as a shared folder that's accessible to both? that would be awesome

[PacketCollision]

It depends on what your router supports. What model is it?

[Yaco]

Oh, I almost forgot about mentioning remote desktop. This would slightly fix the problem of all the files everywhere but you would still need both PCs on: Remote login to your desktop and have everything automatically sync. Just a thought even though it does have its flaws.

[NooDle]

Originally Posted by TechZ

I have 2 HDD's in my Shuttle XPC, one is for the OS+daily downloads, the other is for content that is accessed over my network, this means that no matter how much is being accessed on the 2nd drive, I don't even notice it. If you're using wireless, make sure your signal+channels are setup right so you can get good speed, or just invest in a wireless-n setup.

very late reply, but since I've only now bought a fresh HD and moved all of my stuff there, I could only try this now.

It is the SHIT. Because it's on another drive, the internal drive with Windows on it doesn't slow down for anything anymore...

Only thing I need now is a new router, in which I can plug the HD directly, so the desktop PC doesn't have to be on all the time.
Also, my external HD will not shut down, ever, even if the PC itself is off. it has no off button or anything, so is it safe to just yank the power cord?