USB2 2.5 external backup

[Roger]

After very useful help from this group earlier, I am now deciding which
external drive to buy. I am converting to USB 2.0 but on seeing a number of
sales sites often 2.5 drive is shown as laptop and 3.5 as desktop. As I have
very little backup 40 GB would give me ample space. I have a desktop unit
but would prefer a 2.5 would this be compatible with desktop setup.

Regards Roger
========================================= ==============================

 

[Paul]

After very useful help from this group earlier, I am now deciding which
external drive to buy. I am converting to USB 2.0 but on seeing a number of
sales sites often 2.5 drive is shown as laptop and 3.5 as desktop. As I have
very little backup 40 GB would give me ample space. I have a desktop unit
but would prefer a 2.5 would this be compatible with desktop setup.

Regards Roger
========================================= ==============================

Yes, it would work. A 2.5" USB drive can be plugged into a desktop.

Buy a decent sized drive. You'd be surprised when you might need it later.
For example, say you're helping a friend back up some files. You'll
have some room left on your drive.

If you search for 2.5" external drives here, and sort by reputation,
you can find drives with good reports. For example, a 320GB drive is
$80, and will give you plenty of room for making multiple backups.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=2010150414 1036007801&bop=And&Order=RATING

The 2.5" drive is bus powered, so will get its power from the USB
port on the computer. Simply plug in the drive to the USB port,
and Windows should discover the "New Hardware". The drives come
pre-formatted, so should work immediately without further fuss.
Or, you can decide whether you like NTFS or FAT32 better, and
reformat or repartition as you see fit.

If you run into a situation, where a laptop doesn't seem to be
able to power the drive (it doesn't spin up), sometimes a
"USB Y cable" can help. This style of cable uses two USB connectors
on the computer end. The second of the connectors is just to
carry additional power. Now that more drive mechanisms are
keeping their power requirements within reason, there
may be no need for one of these. But at least you
know they exist.

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?seg=HHO&poid=438342

If a drive has been working for three months, and suddenly
stops, that doesn't mean the symptoms suggest a power problem.
The power problem, if it were to show up, would occur right away.
Desktops may be more generous with power on their USB ports,
than a laptop would be. Some laptops use a "power bug", to cut
off current even slightly over 500mA. Desktops may use a resettable
fuse for that instead, and it usually lets more power flow.

Paul

 

[Shenan Stanley]

After very useful help from this group earlier, I am now deciding
which external drive to buy. I am converting to USB 2.0 but on
seeing a number of sales sites often 2.5 drive is shown as laptop
and 3.5 as desktop. As I have very little backup 40 GB would give
me ample space. I have a desktop unit but would prefer a 2.5 would
this be compatible with desktop setup.

There is no difference in usage other than perhaps it being more likely a
2.5" could be powered by the USB connection instead of an external power
supply - making it (in addition to its size) more portable. Sometimes it is
slower as well - if an actual disk drive. It can be smaller in storage
capacity.

Get yourself any 500+GB external USB disk drive or - in your case - a 64+GB
USB thumb/stick drive. ;-)

 

[Roger]

There is no difference in usage other than perhaps it being more likely a
2.5" could be powered by the USB connection instead of an external power
supply - making it (in addition to its size) more portable. Sometimes it
is slower as well - if an actual disk drive. It can be smaller in storage
capacity.

Get yourself any 500+GB external USB disk drive or - in your case - a
64+GB USB thumb/stick drive. ;-)

Thank you both for your wise and helpful advice,and here form the UK Happy
New Year.
Roger

 

[smlunatick]

There is no difference in usage other than perhaps it being more likely a
2.5" could be powered by the USB connection instead of an external power
supply - making it (in addition to its size) more portable.  Sometimes it is
slower as well - if an actual disk drive.  It can be smaller in storage
capacity.

Get yourself any 500+GB external USB disk drive or - in your case - a 64+GB
USB thumb/stick drive. ;-)

I would not rely on a USB thumb flash drive as a long term backup. I
experienced a static electricity discharge which wiped clean a flash
drive.