My SO has an old laptop (PII 233MHz 2Gb HDD), and i have a slightly newer desktop (PIII 733MHz 20Gb HDD). I’m about to replace my desktop with a new computer.
Once i transfer all my old files to the new computer, format the hard drive, and reinstall the OS, my SO would like to use the old desktop in her office, because it’s faster and has more storage space. The problem is, her work desk is quite small and has limited working space, and couldn’t really cope with a bulky CRT monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
What i was wondering is whether it’s possible to connect the desktop PC to her laptop, so that she can have the laptop on her desk, but have it reading the hard drive of the desktop, which would be placed out of the way on the ground. Essentially, the laptop would provide the keyboard and the screen, but the processing power and storage space would come from the desktop.
I know that this sounds like a rather awkward solution to a problem, but if it’s possible it might make life a little easier.
While I believe you could probalby get something to work to a degree, I don’t think it will be like what you are expecting.
Your best bet would be to pick up a cheap LCD screen, compact keyboard, and a touchpad mouse. That should allow you to have the compactness of a laptop while using the power of the tower.
VNC is one. It works on a lot of different operating systems so XP on the desktop wouldn’t be a requirement.
Remote desktop type things work fairly well except when you are doing something that is graphically intensive (like playing games or running a CAD program for example). This is due to the fact that not only does the desktop need to figure out what to display, but then it has to ship it across the network to the other computer. There’s always a bit of lag between the server (desktop) and the client (laptop). How much of an issue this is depends on what you are using the computers for.
Doesn’t the XP remote desktop work by the computer you’re connecting from have to have XP while the computer you’re connecting to can be anything from Win95 up?
Maybe, but an LCD monitor would cost far more than the computer is worth. It’s like putting fancy rims on a beater Chevrolet Citation.
A basic barebones computer with a much more powerful processor would’t cost that much more than an LCD monitor by itself. Move the HD over, reinstall the OS if necessary (without formatting the hard drive), update drivers, and you should be good to go.
Then again, getting the LCD monitor might not be that bad, because you can always use it in newer systems that you buy.
If you get rid of the old laptop, contact me. If it’ll accomodate (and use) a wireless card, I can always use it as a basic Internet access and word processing computer when I’m on the road. I can’t offer much for it, but what the hell …
FYI - XP’s remote desktop is basically 2000 terminal server with a slightly fancier client. I’m not sure about win95, but I’ve used it with 98, ME, and 2000 and it works fine. I’ve also used it to connect to a 2000 server and an XP box. It seems to work equally well with either OS.
Erm… Just to clarify… I’ve used the CLIENT with 98, ME, and 2000. The server can only be 2000 server or XP (and possibly NT 4 terminal server edition but I’ve never tried it).