Complicated networking questin based on my laptop chrger going phuuft?

[KatyMac]

I leave my laptop plugged in (no battery) and network to it & a separate hard drive fro my other laptop

The charger went phufft (not sure how to spell that tbh)

So is this a bad idea?

Do I just go & buy a new charger & carry on - o is there a better way

TIA
KMc

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Are you using the laptop for anything other than retrieving data from it's hard disk?
If not, then could the drive be removed and put in an external drive case... or the data be transferred to other drives already on the network?

Yes I use the laptop to save to the external Hard drive (or someone else does) while I am also accessing the external hard drive from my laptop

Not quite what I meant. Is someone actually needing to use the other parts of the laptop (screen, keyboard etc.)? If so, then try getting a new power adapter (though same thing could happen, if there is actually a fault with the laptop), or start looking at a new (or second hand) machine - either laptop, or desktop.

Yes someone uses the aptop I have also an external hard drive where I store eveything

This is my new power adapter

i just wondered if leaving a laptop on was 'bad' & if I needed a server or something (iyswim)

You know how untechy I am

Is all the data you use, actually on an external drive... in which case, could that drive be connected to another machine in the network?

Yes

But that is the stationary machine & also connected to the printer

So I need something in that position

Could you replace the laptop, with a low cost desktop (as I doubt you will be using it for playing computer games). It could then be left on all the time, as a file store.
Laptops I find can be left on for quite long periods, so can't see that really being an issue. Power adapter may get quite hot though, so best not to hide it away... make sure it has some air flowing around it.

It was just sat on the desk top not hidden at all (fortunatley it might have started a fire)

I guess a low cots laptop is the way to go

I mean desktop

Got your e-mail, have replied.

or why not get an adapter and network the exernal hard drive? Wireless/wired to USB both exist..

So how do I do that? & is it expensive?

But isn't the trouble, that you need another machine for another user? Do I have that right... you had two laptops (laptop A and B) which both access a network drive (which is attached to Laptop A). Laptop B's power adapter has gone bang... so it's either replacing that adapter, or replacing that laptop.

I do need another machine for a user - should that be laptop or desktop - if laptop is it safe to leave on

But if the hard drive can be networked the other laptop wouldn't need to be left on al day

If going for networking drives - may be worth looking at a NAS DiskStation, which has USB ports on it, so that it can act as a Print Server.

Enclosures exist, if you wanted to connect the hard drive from the now non-working laptop to the laptop that does work.

'Enclosures'? is that the box the hard drive is in?

The other thing is too expensive tbh

I would be tempted to have a desktop, which will act as the main server - so storing all the files. You could then have two user accounts on that server - one with admin rights, and the other with basic user rights. Then it can be used your staff, and you can also use it yourself. It could act as the print server, and have extra things on it such as a video capture card - so you store videos (observations for example) digitally. It could even be used as Media Server, holding various DVD/Video/Music content, or even CCTV capabilities.
Other users can then have laptops - which connect via wireless when in range of the server, so that they can print, update files etc.
Desktop could stay on 24/7, with just the LCD monitor being turned off to save power consumption.

Yes, Enclosure is what the drive sits inside.

Tescos do a PC for less than £300

Exactly, a Laptop will cost a bit more and not be as expandable. Sure a laptop looks nicer, but a desktop can be hidden away, with longer cables for keyboard, mouse, screen. If you like Laptop Style keyboards with touchpad mouse, then you can get them - example. Wireless keyboards and mice are also a possibility.

Dell also do a selection of desktops at reasonable prices, and will enable you to customise them to your requirements. They still permit you to select XP instead of Vista for example.