-- changing the last digit Thanks for the hint. If I chan...

[mdk]

@2110centre -- changing the last digit

Thanks for the hint. If I change the last digit of the URL that you posted to 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, I see the "hidden" page.

http://192.168.0.1/index.htm#admin_usb/m/4/s/[digit]

[Scare1]

Excellent! But where, on my Windows 7 system connected to the router, would I find the shared drive? It's not listed in Windows Explorer > Network.

[mdk]

@Scare1 -- try this:

1. connect your USB device to a computer that you always keep powered-up;
2. Windows will assign a drive-letter to that device.
3. Open the Windows "File Explorer", and right-mouse-button click on the device.
4. Choose "share" and set a name for the "share".
5. Other computers on your local network can now search on your network for the name of this "share".
6. Those computers can now access the files/folders on that "mapped" share-name.

[Scare1]

I've done that, and it works, but the old laptop I'm using as a file server only has a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection. My main laptop and the router both have Gbps Ethernet, so naturally I'd like to connect a USB HD directly to the router.

[rstra]

@Scare1 In your computer, have you tried to select “map network drive” and enter in \\192.168.0.1\**********

[Scare1]

Yes, but I just get this non-informative error message. Same if I "Connect using different credentials" with the router's customer admin login. The drive is plugged in to the router's USB port, and spinning. The IP address is correct, I can log in to the router that way. The hex string is copy & pasted from the router's "Shared Disks" page, with backslashes as you can see. Shares from a second connected laptop work normally. Is there maybe a protocol (ie: Samba/smb:) that I need to check/install?

[Scare1]

I get a slightly different but still non-informative message if I try the same thing in a M(es)s-DOS window:

>net use R: \\192.168.0.1\8A2CF4F62CF4DE5F /user:cusadmin ************
System error 58 has occurred.

The specified server cannot perform the requested operation.

[rstra]

@Scare1 try formatting the disk as fat32.

[Scare1]

I've tried NTFS, FAT32, FAT, and exFAT (which didn't show up in "Shared Disks"). No joy.

P.S.: Love the Engrish you get when you hit "Eject" on the router's "Shared Disks" page:

[mdk]

@Scare1 -- the old laptop I'm using as a file server only has a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.

Can you purchase ($16) and use: Rankie USB Network Adapter, USB 3.0 to RJ45 Gigabit, Black | Best Buy Canada

to add Gigabit speed to your laptop?