External Hard Drive

ExquisiteCutie · 10-29-2005, 04:17 PM

Hi,

I was wondering what I needed to know before I venture out to purchase a external hard drive.

Thanks

Volt-Schwibe · 10-29-2005, 04:25 PM

first off, do you have any spare hard disks laying around?

if you do, you can pick up an empty external drive shell, and put your spare drive into it.

most hard disks are about 70$ for an 80 gig, and the shell is about 15$.

compare that to an external 80 gig already assembled for around 160$

so basically, the savings is severe if you put it together yourself.

and almost any drive shell will work with almost any hard disk.

ExquisiteCutie · 10-29-2005, 06:52 PM

80Gb = $???CAN

any brands i should be looking out for?

so i just plug and play? or is it more complicated?

thanks

**bruiser** · 10-29-2005, 08:51 PM

You can buy a Seagate 160 gig external hdd for around $120, and a WD 120 gig for about the same. That's in US dollars.

~~whodat~~ · 10-30-2005, 04:27 AM

check here

**JamesO** · 10-30-2005, 05:41 AM

Decide what you really need for an external drive. Do you want a networkable drive that all machines on a network can access (even when running a mix of MAC, Windows and Linux operating systems?) then a Network Hard Drive is what you should consider. Many of the Network drives also support a direct USB connection as well. They are on the average of about $1 USD per GB of storage, except at the upper end the 250-300 GB are slightly more.

I have a SmartDisk and have installed a number of NetDisks and everyone really likes them. A poor mans file server without the need to manage anything. If you need to make a direct connection, hook up to USB and go. Take the drive with you or hide it in the closet if utility room so when your house gets broken into and someone steals you computer(s) you still have all your important files, pictures, music etc. For around $130 US you can usually find a 120 GB Network drive. Hey even my wife thinks everyone should have one of these!!

See these links for some ideas

Network Drives

Other Network Storage Devices

JamesO

10-29-2005, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
ExquisiteCutie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 OS: XP	External Hard Drive Hi, I was wondering what I needed to know before I venture out to purchase a external hard drive. Thanks

10-29-2005, 04:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	first off, do you have any spare hard disks laying around? if you do, you can pick up an empty external drive shell, and put your spare drive into it. most hard disks are about 70$ for an 80 gig, and the shell is about 15$. compare that to an external 80 gig already assembled for around 160$ so basically, the savings is severe if you put it together yourself. and almost any drive shell will work with almost any hard disk. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

10-29-2005, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
ExquisiteCutie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 11 OS: XP	more information please.. 80Gb = $???CAN any brands i should be looking out for? so i just plug and play? or is it more complicated? thanks

10-29-2005, 08:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,973 OS: xp	You can buy a Seagate 160 gig external hdd for around $120, and a WD 120 gig for about the same. That's in US dollars.

10-30-2005, 04:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	check here

10-30-2005, 05:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Decide what you really need for an external drive. Do you want a networkable drive that all machines on a network can access (even when running a mix of MAC, Windows and Linux operating systems?) then a Network Hard Drive is what you should consider. Many of the Network drives also support a direct USB connection as well. They are on the average of about $1 USD per GB of storage, except at the upper end the 250-300 GB are slightly more. I have a SmartDisk and have installed a number of NetDisks and everyone really likes them. A poor mans file server without the need to manage anything. If you need to make a direct connection, hook up to USB and go. Take the drive with you or hide it in the closet if utility room so when your house gets broken into and someone steals you computer(s) you still have all your important files, pictures, music etc. For around $130 US you can usually find a 120 GB Network drive. Hey even my wife thinks everyone should have one of these!! See these links for some ideas Network Drives Other Network Storage Devices JamesO