How to connect laptop to existing desktop?

[erin]

I have a desktop PC at home and just bought a laptop. I would like to be able to attach the laptop to the larger desktop monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, DSL, scanner, etc...and be able to switch between the two computers without unplugging all the cables every time. Any help/suggestions on how to do this would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Erin

[renegade600]

The best you can do is a docking station and a network card.

[erin]

So I buy a docking station (are they brand specific?) and something to route my DSL connection to two computers and have both computers connected directly to the internet.

When everything (monitor, scanner, mouse....) is plugged into the laptop docking station, how will I use it on the desktop.

As you can tell I know very little about computers. Thanks.

[renegade600]

you can also purchase a switch to share monitors, keyboards and mouse. Not sure about the scanner. Exactly what are you trying to do? There may be other options that will work better.

[erin]

I am trying to use the stationary monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanner, printer, DSL connection etc... on my laptop which I use for work, and then switch and use my desktop for personal stuff. It is a pain rolling around on the floor switching all of these cables every time I want to use the other computer.

In a perfect world i would also like to be able acess files on the desktop from the laptop and vice versa instead of having to burn everything to cd and then copy it on to the hard drive.

Thanks.

[xocal]

If both your PC and Laptop have either Infra-red or Bluetooth, you could set up a LAN (Local Area Network) which would enable you to swop files in either direction. If your pc doesn't have either IR or Bluetooth, you can get Adaptors or Dongles which plug into your USB port/ports for either feature.
May take you some time to master, but well worth the effort!
xocal

[Ned Seagoon]

Hi Erin

Another alternative would be to network your desktop and laptop and install VNC on them, then you could sit at your desktop and operate it normally or enter VNC on the desktop and actually be operating on the laptop, without having to change over anything. You can get VNC at http://www.realvnc.com/ BF

[xocal]

Big Fred,
thanks for link! Looks interesting!

[Ned Seagoon]

A pleasure, let us know how it works out. I've operated a linux desktop from a windows machine across the internet using VNC, it was a bit slow, due to the speed of the connection, but I don't think you will have any problems with machines on the same LAN. BF

[xocal]

Have been fascinated with Linux for years and indeed hold some shares?? which have not lived up to the expectation that Linux would take over from Mr Gates Windows!!!!.
But to get back to the business in hand!
The information on the site re setting up is not very helpful, so perhaps you could explain what is required to get this system up and running.
I should explain that I only have one tel line, so, if, as I suspect, one needs a seperate line for both PC and Laptop, then I can't work the system! but please tell me I'm wrong and perhaps you could explain how to make it work!
Thanks!

[Ned Seagoon]

Hi xocal

No, you only need one telephone line for your internet connection. You will need to network your two computers together. Each will need a NIC. If you wish to access the internet from each you could use ICS but a router would be better.

To use the large monitor, keyboard and mouse on the desktop machine to control the laptop you will need to install and configure VNC on each.

To operate the laptop thru this VNC connection from the desktop machine you will need to start a VNC session on each, and then follow the directions at the Real VNC site to do the job. You will see the laptop screen on the desktop monitor and the mouse and keyboard will appear to be connected to the laptop.

Have fun. BF