External Hard Drive Recommendations:

[Robert]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP SP2

I have been thinking of creating a external hard drive for my system
and I've posted this here before.

Since $$ is a major consideration it was recommended that I get a
Seagate 160GB hard drive, unfortunately they are no longer on sale. I
would appreciate any recommendations for a good dependable hard
drive.

It was also recommended that I get a PCI card to upgrade my system
from USB1 to USB2 to improve the transfer rate:

http://www.directron.com/aud041.html

However I have no idea as far as which type of case to buy.

I think I will use Acronis for the software

Then all I need after that is a USB cord to attach the drive to the
computer. I assume all cords are the same except for the length?

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.



Robert

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

USB 2.0 is essential. The transfer rate over 1.1 is unacceptible for an
external disk drive. I recommend a Seagate 7200.10 250GB drive in a
standard external SATA enclosure with a usb port on the back. This is how
you buy them now. You will have both SATA and USB connectors and will use
the USB one. In the future if you buy a new computer it will have an
external SATA port and you can then use the SATA connector on the external
hard drive in order to take advantage of the super fast eSATA transfer rate.

This is a typical enclosure:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817106098

This is a typical 250GB drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

You're in for $100.

 

[rod]

G'day Robert,
I have 5 or 6 ext HDD's,
In the past, I used to just buy a bunky old enclosure
for around $49 and throw in a 12Gb HDD from upgrades for playstations.
total cost $54.

Prices have dropped, and you can now get a 500Gb drive (with enclosure)
for $179 in Aust.

You just buy, plug in and go.

Some of my drives come from W98se FAT 32 but are still read Ok.
A friend has a 160Gb ext HDD for his laptop, that is around the
size of pack of cigarettes.
generally the cheaper the enclosure, the shorter the cord

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I forgot the usb pci card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124007

 

[Robert]

USB 2.0 is essential.  The transfer rate over 1.1 is unacceptible for an
external disk drive.  I recommend a Seagate 7200.10 250GB drive in a
standard external SATA enclosure with a usb port on the back.  This is how
you buy them now.  You will have both SATA and USB connectors and will use
the USB one.  In the future if you buy a new computer it will have an
external SATA port and you can then use the SATA connector on the external
hard drive in order to take advantage of the super fast eSATA transfer rate.

This is a typical enclosure:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817106098

This is a typical 250GB drive:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

You're in for $100.













- Show quoted text -

Sounds excellent but I'm a little frustrated now, as I just upgraded
my computer with a Seagate 160GB hard drive from a 40GB hard drive and
now I see I could have gotten a 250GB hard drive for nearly the same
price! Ughhh, Oh wellllll live and learn,....

Thanks

Robert

 

[Lil' Dave]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP SP2

I have been thinking of creating a external hard drive for my system
and I've posted this here before.

Since $$ is a major consideration it was recommended that I get a
Seagate 160GB hard drive, unfortunately they are no longer on sale. I
would appreciate any recommendations for a good dependable hard
drive.

It was also recommended that I get a PCI card to upgrade my system
from USB1 to USB2 to improve the transfer rate:

http://www.directron.com/aud041.html

However I have no idea as far as which type of case to buy.

I think I will use Acronis for the software

Then all I need after that is a USB cord to attach the drive to the
computer. I assume all cords are the same except for the length?

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.



Robert

When buying an external enclosure, be sure the maximum capacity of an added
hard drive is noted in specs. Otherwise, they may sell you an old one that
doesn't meet your expectations.

Get a specified USB2 cable.

Used to shop directron, but they are terribly limited. Try mwave.com

Dave

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

That only applies to IDE drives.

When buying an external enclosure, be sure the maximum capacity of an
added hard drive is noted in specs. Otherwise, they may sell you an old
one that doesn't meet your expectations.

Get a specified USB2 cable.

Used to shop directron, but they are terribly limited. Try mwave.com

Dave

 

[Dave Cohen]

Sounds excellent but I'm a little frustrated now, as I just upgraded
my computer with a Seagate 160GB hard drive from a 40GB hard drive and
now I see I could have gotten a 250GB hard drive for nearly the same
price! Ughhh, Oh wellllll live and learn,....

Thanks

Robert

Don't fret, if your machine is usb 1.1, it's likely the bios would not
recognize a huge hd.
I believe this bios limitation doesn't apply to usb external.
Dave Cohen

 

[Bob I]

Sounds excellent but I'm a little frustrated now, as I just upgraded
my computer with a Seagate 160GB hard drive from a 40GB hard drive and
now I see I could have gotten a 250GB hard drive for nearly the same
price! Ughhh, Oh wellllll live and learn,....

Thanks

Robert

Yep, and in 6 months it'll be a 320GB drive for that price! ;-)

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Robert:

Since $$ is a major consideration it was recommended that I get a
Seagate 160GB hard drive, unfortunately they are no longer on sale. I
would appreciate any recommendations for a good dependable hard
drive.

Depends on what you want to use it for.

Data? If so, what's the volume?


Whatever it's for, I wouldn't even consider USB1. Think floppy
drive.... it's that slow.