Hard Drive or Remote Access?

T

TheNiteHwk

New member
Aug 22, 2001
6,058
0
0
71
Downtown Toronto
www.profile.to
Here's my situation... looking for suggestions.

Since moving here to Ottawa have been dragging my laptop to and from office everyday. Of course there is a desk top I can use at the office. The thing is I have all my 'favs' on my lap top. And all my word, excel docs, pics and music.

Can I just put all that stuff on an external hard drive and bring that back and forth... or can I just leave my laptop at home pluged in and on and access from my office? And if the latter how do I do that?

Suggestions please. Meci. :confused:
 
fridrikk said:
Umm last I heard leaving your lap top on day unattended is maybe not the smartest idea in the world. Nobody I know has ever recommended that because of heat issues.
Click to expand...

I have left my Stink pad on for the last 3 years. Reboot once in a while when I get some new patches. As long as you gots your Screen Saver settings setup to put you in hybernate (power scheme) it is good. For the case where the Notebook needs to be available all the time with no hybernation I would not recommend that. USB key is better solutiuon for portable files..
 
Leaving your laptop on all day shouldnt be a problem - I do it regularly. Just dont leave it on a couch or any soft surface - this can screw up the airflow and you will get heat issues. On a desk is fine.

Using an external hard drive works just fine, but a lot of companies may well have an issue with you hooking it up to their computers - at the end of the day not only can you bring your data in, but you can take their data out. In corporate IT, portable hard drives, USB drives, Ipods etc are a huge headache.

Accessing your computer remotely is relatively simple. Probably the best way is to use GoToMyPC.
 
You may need to speak to IT admin to access your files at home fromwork, firewall?Many companies frown on this unless your a principal or higher management.
As for laptop, if your leaving it on all the time I would definetly remove battery. That way its not always charging and then uncharging if you disconnect power. Something I read somewhere.
I do think your best best is flash drive, or email files to yourself depending on size of course.
Ajsxm not sure why protable drives are a headache, unless security is an issue? In which care thats the companys fault.
 
fridrikk said:
Umm last I heard leaving your lap top on day unattended is maybe not the smartest idea in the world. Nobody I know has ever recommended that because of heat issues.
Click to expand...

I've had a 1.8Ghz Turion notebook running at full tilt 24/7 for about six months now with no problems. I don't endorse this practice, but I've never had a problem with properly ventilated laptops overheating.

Anyway, I'd go with a USB drive and email as a backup for anything important. Redundancy is pretty important in my book.
 
in testing i use laptops with osx server left on for weeks on end... if u have an ipod u can turn on the disk functionality to make a portable drive.
 
It's probably not a good idea to mix work stuff with private. Your personal links are just that - personal. I've actually seen guys get fired for doing their own stuff on company time.
 
Using an external hard drive works just fine, but a lot of companies may well have an issue with you hooking it up to their computers - at the end of the day not only can you bring your data in, but you can take their data out. In corporate IT, portable hard drives, USB drives, Ipods etc are a huge headache.
Click to expand...


Horney_Senior said:
It's probably not a good idea to mix work stuff with private. Your personal links are just that - personal. I've actually seen guys get fired for doing their own stuff on company time.
Click to expand...

Yah... no need to worry about that stuff... I'm working for my brother. And living in his house. In fact it might be to his advantage if I have all his co. docs etc... for use at home.

Thanks everyone... USB sounds good... I guess just for word, excel docs etc would be good. Don't need my pics at the office really... but would be nice to have my iTunes. Think I'll just get me a decent low cost external hard drive. Any suggestions as to brand name etc? Anyone got one laying around you don't need anymore? :)
 
this thread should be entitled.............Security safe at home or let your neighbors hold your valuables?
 
I was at tiger direct yesterday and they have a portable hard drive (usb connected) 120G or 160G for $80-120.
 
Another option

Get an internal HDD and throw it in an enclosure, it's not that hard to do.
I buy Seagate for the 5 yr warranty. HDD prices are dropping. Office Depot in the US has a 500GB Western Digital drive for $100, buy an enclosure $20-30 and your done. I did this last year with a 160GB Seagate and got an enclosure for a total cost of $75.
 
look at it this way

if you own it you control it
 
I also recommend a USB key that you can simply plug into the work computer. An external drive is conspicuous and will undoubtedly raise some questions. Accessing remotely over the internet could be a huge pain in the ass, depending on how your network at work is set up. Plus your company's techies could be looking in on what you have on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Toronto Escorts
Top Bottom
Back