Tech Question- External Hard Drives

Goughy · 31-03-2008, 07:55 AM

Basically I need one as soon as possible. This means shopping in Bulgaria for one rather than ordering on line. This means I cant ask any questions as I dont speak a word of the lingo and their English will be limited.

Anyway, what I need it an external HD to hook up to my PC, my laptop and an old PC that doesnt have USB 2.0 (1.0 I think).

Im looking at 120+ Gb and there appears to be 3 options. One that is USB 2.0 only and requires no other power supply and is very small. Another small one that uses USB but needs its own power and a 3rd by Phillips that is far bigger and faster (at the same price) that hooks up with what looks like a printer cable.

Anyone have any advice? Its going to be used for photo and music storage.

Barney Rubble · 31-03-2008, 08:12 AM

Don't get a SeaGate FreeAgent, mine has dodgy connections. Occasionally it's not recognised when you plug it in, and sometimes it'll be in the middle of transferring stuff and suddenly it'll think you've unplugged it.

dontcloseyoureyes · 31-03-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barney Rubble

Don't get a SeaGate FreeAgent, mine has dodgy connections. Occasionally it's not recognised when you plug it in, and sometimes it'll be in the middle of transferring stuff and suddenly it'll think you've unplugged it.

I've got two of those and they've both been perfectly fine for me.

Matteh · 31-03-2008, 08:24 AM

First one's the best if you want to transfer stuff from place to place like a glorified pen drive(i.e. i use my portable for bringing home all my music/films/etc. from uni), second one's ideally there for you to backup your entire harddrive and then leave it where it is 99% of the time.

Barney Rubble · 31-03-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

I've got two of those and they've both been perfectly fine for me.

Oh. Well, that's annoying.

silentstriker · 31-03-2008, 09:01 AM

You could also order an internal drive, and mount it externally with something like this.

cpr · 31-03-2008, 09:02 AM

Currently use a Western Digital one, 320gb. Not exactly tiny (i'd say its the same size as a standard paperback book), needs its own power supply, but works on both USB 1 & 2. Also works accross all OS's without any hassle or installing, just plugs and plays(my desktops USB 1 with XP, mums laptops USB 2 and Vista).

If as Matteh says, its not so much for the portability between locations, more for backing up (the laptop can always be moved to the PC when it needs to link to the HD i suppose), then its a good choice. Even moving it between two PC's in the same house isnt exactly taxing.

Having said that, if its needed for moving files from home to another enviroment, probably not the best.

Shaggy Alfresco · 31-03-2008, 09:15 AM

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_n...nal+hard+drive

Goughy · 31-03-2008, 09:18 AM

The 1st two I mention were pocket sized. The 3rd, the Phillips, was many times the size like a thick book and the assistant said it was far faster. Do the bigger ones access quicker? and is there any reason why it has the printer like usb input rather than the camera like one?

Basically, as Im going to massively over pay, compared to ordering from the States, I dont want to get this wrong. I wish I had more detailed info to paint a clearer picture.

cpr · 31-03-2008, 10:04 AM

Might have a faster write speed, but it'll be negligable, especially if your using it on USB 1.

ret · 31-03-2008, 05:03 PM

i use a pocket sized one by Maxtor and is pretty good .... the ones of Fujitsu are good too

Retox · 31-03-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barney Rubble

Don't get a SeaGate FreeAgent, mine has dodgy connections. Occasionally it's not recognised when you plug it in, and sometimes it'll be in the middle of transferring stuff and suddenly it'll think you've unplugged it.

USB connection or power?

ret · 31-03-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goughy

Im looking at 120+ Gb and there appears to be 3 options. One that is USB 2.0 only and requires no other power supply and is very small. Another small one that uses USB but needs its own power and a 3rd by Phillips that is far bigger and faster (at the same price) that hooks up with what looks like a printer cable.

Anyone have any advice? Its going to be used for photo and music storage.

thats the best one .... one USB port and portability .... the link below will give you an idea on what to look for in an external HDD

http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/c.../hdd/external/

NZTailender · 31-03-2008, 10:44 PM

Desktop: Get a 3.5" one that needs a power supply.
Laptop: 2.5" that uses USB for power.

Overall, I'd go 2.5" simply because you'll be able to use it anywhere and won't have to worry about plugging into power sockets.

31-03-2008, 07:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Goughy International Coach Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: All Over Posts: 14,636	Tech Question- External Hard Drives Basically I need one as soon as possible. This means shopping in Bulgaria for one rather than ordering on line. This means I cant ask any questions as I dont speak a word of the lingo and their English will be limited. Anyway, what I need it an external HD to hook up to my PC, my laptop and an old PC that doesnt have USB 2.0 (1.0 I think). Im looking at 120+ Gb and there appears to be 3 options. One that is USB 2.0 only and requires no other power supply and is very small. Another small one that uses USB but needs its own power and a 3rd by Phillips that is far bigger and faster (at the same price) that hooks up with what looks like a printer cable. Anyone have any advice? Its going to be used for photo and music storage. __________________ If I only just posted the above post, please wait 5 mins before replying as there is bound to be edits West Robham Rabid Wolves Caedere lemma quod eat lemma Happy Birthday! (easier than using Birthday threads) Email and MSN- Goughy at cricketmail dot net

31-03-2008, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Shaggy Alfresco International 12th Man Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: location, location Posts: 1,738	http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_n...nal+hard+drive __________________ CW Colts Member, Cricketweb XI Batsman and TIME Man of the Year 2006 "As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. " 4505 Dev League runs @ 57.02 734 Test runs @ 48.93

31-03-2008, 05:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
ret International Debutant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: canada Posts: 2,890	i use a pocket sized one by Maxtor and is pretty good .... the ones of Fujitsu are good too __________________ Fastest gun in town

31-03-2008, 10:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
NZTailender Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand Posts: 19,041	Desktop: Get a 3.5" one that needs a power supply. Laptop: 2.5" that uses USB for power. Overall, I'd go 2.5" simply because you'll be able to use it anywhere and won't have to worry about plugging into power sockets. __________________ President of SKAS - Kat is King \| Proud member of CVAAS - One of the best \| LRPLTAS - Rosco rocks! The NZTailender Supporting XI: L Vincent, H Rutherford, N Broom, Craig Cachopa, D Brownlie, BJ Watling, D de Boorder+, I Sodhi, B Wheeler, H Bennett, A Milne Go Tigers! R.I.P. Fardin & Craig

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31-03-2008, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Barney Rubble International Coach Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: All over the shop Posts: 10,191	Don't get a SeaGate FreeAgent, mine has dodgy connections. Occasionally it's not recognised when you plug it in, and sometimes it'll be in the middle of transferring stuff and suddenly it'll think you've unplugged it.

31-03-2008, 09:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Goughy International Coach Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: All Over Posts: 14,636	The 1st two I mention were pocket sized. The 3rd, the Phillips, was many times the size like a thick book and the assistant said it was far faster. Do the bigger ones access quicker? and is there any reason why it has the printer like usb input rather than the camera like one? Basically, as Im going to massively over pay, compared to ordering from the States, I dont want to get this wrong. I wish I had more detailed info to paint a clearer picture.

31-03-2008, 10:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
cpr Cricketer Of The Year Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,726	Might have a faster write speed, but it'll be negligable, especially if your using it on USB 1.

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