is there a way to running 3 computers with one external dvd, maybe a usb splitter? One at a TIME of courseYou could access one drive on a network in a variety of methods. Some routers have a special port for sharing an external drive or a printer. Or you could leave the external drive connected to one machine and simply network the other two computers.If you mean you want to boot to 3 different computers from one HD then the answer is no, unless all three systems are 100% identical. If you simply want 3 computers to recognize the files on the external drive then you can indeed use 3 usb connections or create a network.Plus in addition to Allan's statement above modern windows operating systems will not be permitted to be installed on an external hard drive. Perhaps a Linux version might but i really don't know. truenorthYou know what, I misread the post. I thought the question was about an external HD not a DVD. But yes, it can be connected to all three computers.Yes now that i reread the initial post and see Allan's last response i too seem to have misread the original post's intent. Of course you can use "one external" optical device to service 3 computers". You will need to find some kind of switch (probably mechanical) that will allow you to switch between the 3 computers to a common usb connection to the DVD unit. I have searched on your behalf for such a device and not found any so far. But i have to believe they must exist. truenorthHere is an easy way.
Network the PCs however you want.
Then enable simple file sharing if not already: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040
Then right click the CD/DVD drive you want to share -> Properties -> Sharing -> Enter the info -> Press OK
Go to the other computer, open explorer, and TYPE \\[name of computer]
You should be able to access the drive from there. If you want this to be more permanant, then you can just create a network drive of that share.

I don't mean to sound too simple. Sorry if you already know this.I too have been looking for some sort of splitter. I have six different gamiing computers downstairs and am running them on a x3 46 inch plasma tv that is in my living room with eye infinity ( 3x visiontek 5850) . I have a 100 foot usb with a booster and would like to have an external dvd upstairs that can access all six computers without having to switch the usb cable everytime I use a different computer. I know they have dvd servers but so expensive! I'll try the network thing. Thanks.Quote from: Quantos on January 18, 2011, 03:43:27 AM

You could access one drive on a network in a variety of methods. Some routers have a special port for sharing an external drive or a printer. Or you could leave the external drive connected to one machine and simply network the other two computers.

So you simply plug in the DVD into the port and poof! all computers can see it? Do you know odf such a device?

Yes, I do indeed know of one, I have one.
This is the DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router.