Networking Gurus: Help :P

[Tac]

Here's the situation:

I have 2 computers networked in a LAN using a router to connect to the internet. Typical home network setup.

One computer is in one room (PC 1 ) where the cable modem and router are, the other on the room adjacent to it (PC 2).

I need to connect a USB device to PC 2. This USB device must be placed 15 ft away from PC 2, farther away from PC 1.

The USB device needs a physical connection because the computer provides power to the device, so no wireless option unfortunately.


PC 1  <-----router--------> PC 2 <----------------------USB Device


THE PROBLEM IS: The USB device does not work on PC 2 because the freakin' drivers are not WinXP 64 compatible... but it does work on PC 1 because it only uses Win XP 32. I cannot switch the location of the computers.


I'd like to know if there is a way to have PC 2 run the software remotely from PC 1 but send the command signals via its own USB port (since the USB device will be plugged to PC 2)?


My only other options are to :

1) Reformat PC 2 and install Win XP (not preferable.. I got a lot of shtuff in PC2) since I cannot set PC2 to dual boot WINXP & WinXP64 without formatting it anyways (right? im not sure about this one).

2) Buy a hard drive, install WinXP on it and physically swap the HDD in PC2 when im going to use the USB device (easiest option)

3) Buy a USB hub/amplifier to have the USB cable travel about 25 ft more to plug into PC 1 and run the USB device from there (Least preferable due to the expense and it'd be very uncomfortable to use).

Ideas?

[Momus--]

Easy.

Install and run XP 32 on PC2 in a virtual session using a free tool like Microsoft Virtual PC or Innotec VirtualBox (my personal preference, ymmv).

VirtualBox

MS virtual PC 2007

[Tac]

GENIUS!

Never knew this existed. Thanks!

I got it on my system, downloaded the 64 bit win client.

I think I got all the settings right but when I try to launch it it tells me no bootable medium found.

I set 5gb of my HDD into the virtual WINXP machine.. i've set the vdrive to be the primary master..then the primary slave..then the IDE slave 1 and still no luck. I cant use it.

Manual doesnt cover this event. Im sure im doing something wrong, some little setting left unflipped. Suggestions?

edit: im using the innotek. I dont trust MS

[Momus--]

In the VirtualBox window, highlight your new virtual machine, put your XP 32 disk in the CD drive, hit the settings button, select the CD/DVD rom tab, choose the host CD/DVD option selecting whatever letter you have assigned to the CD drive. It should then boot from the CD and let you install XP. Press F12 when the  session launches and choose CD boot option if it doesn't do it automatically.

[Tac]

thanks. Check your PM's.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Momus--
Easy.

Install and run XP 32 on PC2 in a virtual session using a free tool like Microsoft Virtual PC or Innotec VirtualBox (my personal preference, ymmv).

VirtualBox

MS virtual PC 2007

Ahhh if the host OS doesn't support the device driver how will it pass support through to the guest OS?

Another option: http://www.intellidriver.com/products_1.16.html

[68Wooley]

It should work - the virtualization software recognizes the device as a special vmware / Virual PC USB device and simply passes the USB signal on to the guest OS to handle. I'm assuming Virtualbox will do something similar.

Be aware of any licensing issues running virtual machines. If your XP32 disc is an OEM copy, it may not let you activate windows in the VM.

What kind of device is it? A Linux guest OS might work if you have problems with Windows licensing.

[Tac]

fug true .. my win32xp is an OEM that came with my other computer. BAH!

Ah well, I do have Win2000pro. that should do the trick.

The device is a specialized astrophotography USB camera for my telescope.

[68Wooley]

Originally posted by Tac
The device is a specialized astrophotography USB camera for my telescope.

Ah - I'm guessing non-Windows drivers might be an issue then

Originally posted by Tac
Ah well, I do have Win2000pro. that should do the trick.

Yep - should do.

By the way, my favorite virtualization software is VMWare - VMWare Server is a free download and will do everything you need. I find it performs better than Virtual PC - we use it extensively at work. I've never tried VirtualBox.

[Vulcan]

I'm looking at Xen Express at the moment, it's like a freebie entry level version of ESX, quite nice.

[Tac]

Update:

ok.. ran the virtual box, installed win 32.. no issues at all...


plugged the camera in

it detected the Meade LPI camera perfectly (win64 only detects it as 'USB camera') .. installed the driver fine...

launched the program...

and ***. some JIT debugger error which I got no clue what it is.

Now trying to reinstall the camera software for the 4th time.

gawd I hate meade software.

[Tac]

Ok after the 10th reinstall it stopped giving me that error.


However... the USB device seems to make the virtual machine crash.

Plug it in, it installs the drivers fine.. open software... click on the camera software and freeze-o-matic.

Also noticed that for some reason the virtual machine keeps detecting the USB Serial Bus Controller every time I start it up..and it says it cant find the drivers for it. Yet... I plug the camera in and it detects it and installs it ok. weird.

[bsdaddict]

Originally posted by Tac
3) Buy a USB hub/amplifier to have the USB cable travel about 25 ft more to plug into PC 1 and run the USB device from there (Least preferable due to the expense and it'd be very uncomfortable to use).

Ideas?

that's your best bet, imo.  longest cable you can find, daisy chained to a usb hub.  you might be able to avoid purchasing a hub with something like this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2893288&CatId=444  (haven't used it, just went to tiger to see what they had...)

to ease the comfort factor you should be able to control PC1 from PC2, using vnc or remote desktop if that's built-in on both machines.

[Momus--]

Try creating a blank USB filter in the VM settings if you didn't do it already.

Failing that, it might be worth trying the Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 option.

[Tac]

I did, its the only way the VM will install the VBOX usb drivers on the host OS.


the MS VM does not support USB