How to Connect a CD ROM in a Laptop As an External Drive

If you have a laptop with a CD ROM drive that you would like to access from another computer, you can do so using a simple crossover network cable. Once you connect the two computers, you will be able to use the optical drive from either machine. You can use the optical drive on the laptop as an external drive to copy files or install programs on the other computer.

• 1

  Plug the RJ-45 crossover network cable into the network adapter port on the laptop (the port looks like a large telephone jack). Connect the other end of the cable to the network card on the other computer.

• 2

  Turn on the laptop and log in to Windows. Click on the "Start" button and click "Control Panel." Click "Network and Internet Connections" in the Control Panel window. Click the "Network Setup Wizard" link, then follow the on-screen prompts to set up a small home network. Restart the laptop if prompted to do so.

• 3

  Go to the other computer and repeat the above steps for setting up a home network connection.

• 4

  Go to the laptop with the CD drive and double-click on "Start." Click "My Computer" and right-click on the CD/DVD drive icon. Then, click "Security and Sharing" on the pop-up menu.

• 5

  Click and enable the "Share this folder" option in the "Sharing and Security" dialog window. Enter a descriptive name for the shared CD-ROM drive in the "Share name" field. Click "OK" to close the window.

• 6

  Go to the second computer and click "Start," "My Computer" and click the "Network" link in the sidebar. Browse to the shared CD-ROM drive on the laptop.

• 7

  Copy files from the laptop CD-ROM drive or install software on the desktop computer using the laptop's optical drive.