Backups: Psuedo-external Hard Drive vs. Obsolete Interface?

[MsOsWin]

Options.

Psuedo-external Hard Drive would have the cheapest purchase cost. Leave
the backup drive in the case sitting in a bay adapter. I think I'd
rather disconnect this drive between backups, so I guess I'd have to set
jumpers for cable select? I don't imagine CMOS would "wear out" from
frequent changes? Otoh, the cables might withstand frequent
plug/unplugging. Also I'd have to snap off side of the case fast if I
wanted to grab the drive fast.... this all just seems too inflexible.


Or I can purchase what's commonly sold now.
I guess USB is currently the favorite interface for external hard
drives, priced at approx 2x $/GB prices for internal drives. I've seen
empty cases for approx $30- 60. And I've noticed ads for removable
('shark'?) drives.

The backup drive itself will be passed along when the rest of the
computer goes obsolete. Also, hardware and software seem to develop
incompatibilities when there are more than 2 or 3 years difference
amongst them. That's why I suspect that the backup drive's
"externalizing" paraphernalia will also be obsolete in a few years. And
I don't feel like paying for those parts if they'll be gone in a few
years. (I realize that IDE/ATA/SATA cables also keep changing every few
years, so cable cost must be included in the obsolescence cost
comparison)

So, I assume external or removable drives have been made for a long
time. I assume the first ones connected via serial port? Historically,
how soon have their removable/external hard drive interfaces become
obsolete?

Related questions:
Are the hard drive max-readable-size, LBA, etc. problems still a
problem when using USB drive? Does partitioning the drive fix this
problem?

 

[CWatters]

Or I can purchase what's commonly sold now.
I guess USB is currently the favorite interface for external hard
drives, priced at approx 2x $/GB prices for internal drives. I've seen
empty cases for approx $30- 60. And I've noticed ads for removable
('shark'?) drives.

It's not hard to build your own USB2.0 or Firewire drive. For long life I'd
go for a nice big metal case designed for 5.25" CD/DVD drives and fit
quality 3.5" hard drive into it (Unless you want portability).

I don't feel like paying for those parts if they'll be gone in a few
years. (I realize that IDE/ATA/SATA cables also keep changing every few
years, so cable cost must be included in the obsolescence cost
comparison)

Well USB 2.0 will be around for many years I suspect. There is talk of
people using SATA for external drives but I don't think the interface is
designed for that (or is it?).

Colin

 

[MsOsWin]

It's not hard to build your own USB2.0 or Firewire drive.

ii'll have toresearch that. i see USB cards fro PCI slot in teh
computer, but usb parts to build a case? i guess you're saying you'd buy
a *USB case*.

Well USB 2.0 will be around for many years I suspect.

or already common enough that future USB will (sometimes!) be backwards
compatible.


There is talk of

people using SATA for external drives but I don't think the interface
is designed for that (or is it?).

maybe if the external drive connects thru fireware?

maybe clues:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?threadid=91833

 

[CWatters]

ii'll have toresearch that. i see USB cards fro PCI slot in teh
computer, but usb parts to build a case? i guess you're saying you'd buy
a *USB case*.

Yes that's right. There are lots of cases that come with the IDE/ATA to USB
or Firewire adaptors fitted inside. You just need to install the drive and
connect up the internal power and data cables provided to it.

I like the "U7 Series" on this page but they are hard to find and perhaps a
bit expensive....

http://www.stardom.com.tw/main_e.htm

http://www.stardom.com.tw/U7-04.htm

There is talk of

maybe if the external drive connects thru fireware?

I meant SATA for the connection between PC and external case. Anyway it
looks like I was wrong. It seems my favorite case is now available with an
SATA interface. It only accepts SATA drives so I guess the internal
electronics is simple. See this table:

http://www.stardom.com.tw/U7-03.htm

Colin

 

[AJ]

"CWatters" <[email protected]> in
news:[email protected]:

There is talk of

External SATA connectors are available (they fit in an expansion card
knockout so they take a slot. You'll have to power the drive some
other way though. There are probably SATA external enclosures by now,
but probably with USB 2.0 interfaces.

AJ

 

[CWatters]

External SATA connectors are available (they fit in an expansion card
knockout so they take a slot. You'll have to power the drive some
other way though. There are probably SATA external enclosures by now,
but probably with USB 2.0 interfaces.

I just discovered that my favorite case is now available with an SATA
interface cable between PC and external box. It only accepts SATA drives
internally so I guess the internal electronics is simple. See this table:

http://www.stardom.com.tw/U7-03.htm

Model Nos. ( SATA to SATA ) U7-1-S1 U7-2-S1 U7-4-S1