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Post by acid on Feb 27, 2006 17:36:13 GMT 10
I'm looking for a removable harddrive that uses USB 2.0. Now I know that there are alot of these but I wasn't sure if they are like Plug'n'Play, because I want to be able to plug it into this computer put stuff on it, unplug, plug into another computer stick wateva on and take wateva off it, and being able to do so straight after i plug it in.
Now i heard that you can get external cases and stick normal hdds in them but im not sure if that would work for what I want. So like you can buy a normal sata or ide harddrive and one of these cases (ide to usb or sata to usb) and then just connect up to computer but im not sure if that would work either.
Has anyone ever used a removable harddrive here?
Just need some advice on what i should do? I want about 100GB-200GB.
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 27, 2006 20:02:14 GMT 10
I have one of those said cases. And here's how they work:
You buy a normal hard drive and the case (somewhere between $15 - $25) and put it in yourself with a bit of squeezing (well, I did anyway - they might do it for you if you ask at PC places).
The bad thing about this type of case is that it doesn't get it's power via the PC. It comes with an adapter to be plugged into the wall. Therefore, it would be fine for your needs as long as you were was an extra powerpoint handy whenever you needed to use it.
I'm pretty sure the fancy Maxtor ones (that cost like $400) just suck the power needed from the PC and you don't need to have an extra point available. That's an obvious advantage... if you want to pay twice as much for it.
As for Plug N' Play, it pretty much is. I'm speaking just for the seperately bought case as I haven't owned the more expensive Maxtor-like ones for this, but there's no screwing around with jumpers and stuff like legacy stuff. It comes with drivers which you'll need to install most likely, especially with Win98 systems of course, but I think Windows 2000/XP also doesn't have the drivers automatically for it. (But I can't entirely remember if it did or not). It should come with a booklet or something to tell you what to do, and you switch it onto slave and leave it on slave - never having to adjust it again unless you want to install your primary OS onto it.
Here's a tip, don't install your primary OS on it.
My old hard drive is in my external harddrive case, which is only 40 gig, and still has Windows XP installed on it and everything. However, I can't access anything cause my USB is extremely screwed. Also, I can't get USB 2 for some reason, which it is.
Anyway, that's not important. So to summarise, the seperately bought case is a fine option if you want to spend a bit less money and don't mind needing an extra power point. You could even buy a double adapter to carry with it for $10 or however much they are and still save at least $100 compared to buying the more expensive Maxtor.
But that of course might require unplugging the PC to plug the double adapter in, and you might just be too lazy to begin with.
So it's up you.
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Post by acid on Feb 27, 2006 22:17:08 GMT 10
So I can get a normal SATA HDD with an external case and use it as Plug'N'Play or I can get a proper external HDD which will behave in the same manner? Was looking at this external drive: www.scorptec.com.au/index.php?prdid=13973If i go the other option however im not sure exactly what kind of case I am supose to get and if they are compatiable with like SATA etc. What do you think is the better choice? |
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 28, 2006 0:17:42 GMT 10
For starters, I'm not sure if you can use SATA with the external cases. Wait a sec, don't have a Computer Trader here on this desk somewhere...
Nope. You were a few days too late for that. To the website!
*time passes*
Most useless website EVER. Luckily Ebay is always here to lend a hand. All the external hard drive cases on Ebay specify that they can be used for either IDE or SATA, so there's that.
In fact, read this:
Item Included:
* 3.5" USB HD Case
* USB A-B Cable (USB extension Cable)
* SATA Connecting Cable
* Driver Disc
* User Manual
* External Power Adapter
Specification:
* Can be used with 3.5" SATA/IDE Hard Drive
* USB 2.0 interface - USB 1.1 compatible
* Supporting partition for multiple drive
* Up to 480mb/sec.
* Plug and Play
* Hot-Swappable
* AC input: 100-240V/50-60 Hz
* DC output: 5V/12V
* Compatible with most Mac & PC computers.
Ebay has that for $40 (but I'm sure you could get something for cheaper, but we'll say $40 for now...). Now we need the hard drive. I've gone on to Scorptec, (So I know for SURE you could get THIS for much cheaper) and come up with this:
Seagate ST3200827AS Baracuda 7200.9 200GB 7200rpm, 8mb Buffer, NCQ, SATAII/300 - $159
So all up, an external SATA 200GB hard drive ends up being $199 (except less, cause sif buy from scorptec)
So you could pay $210 to get the one which is already done for you...
Or pay $10 less and get 40GB more. Up to you.
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Post by neVyn on Feb 28, 2006 8:38:58 GMT 10
I think the if you want it to be very easy jake then just buy the prebuilt one from scorptek.. I definately wouldnt buy a caddie from ebay
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Feb 28, 2006 11:15:57 GMT 10
Maxtor 100gig External is $192 from MSY, which is much cheaper than shay was saying... I'm pretty sure the fancy Maxtor ones (that cost like $400) just suck the power needed from the PC and you don't need to have an extra point available. That's an obvious advantage... if you want to pay twice as much for it. |
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Post by acid on Feb 28, 2006 12:20:26 GMT 10
Ok so I could go with either of those options, or how about this...its not fully plug and play but im not sure if it would work. get a normal sata hdd and stick it in before starting up computer, put wateva necessary on it, turn computer off, remove it, give to someone else, stick it in before they start up their computer, boot up...will the hdd be accesible and usable? and can they just turn computer off and remove hdd and so on and so forth? if not ill either go with the one i linked to or get like a $40 case from a computer place...i wanna order this by tonite  im gonna get a g15 and icemat while im at it |
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Post by neVyn on Feb 28, 2006 12:54:45 GMT 10
mate it would be much easier to get an external one that plugs in via usb.. much less hassle.. nearly every computer has usb and windows xp.. its so dead simple
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Post by -Vi2- Genesis on Feb 28, 2006 13:18:48 GMT 10
VISTA PWNS!
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Post by LeFtBehinD on Feb 28, 2006 13:32:05 GMT 10
I prefered it when Genesis was dead. Then everything made sense.
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Post by acid on Feb 28, 2006 13:33:26 GMT 10
so u reckon just go for the one i linked to or one like it?
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Post by LeFtBehinD on Feb 28, 2006 13:46:24 GMT 10
I think the decision is pretty easy.
Convenience vs Cost
If you dont mind having to plug it into a power point while you use it then go for the case. But for all round convience and its proabably a lot smaller pay more and get the proper external ones.
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Post by acid on Feb 28, 2006 14:06:44 GMT 10
done and done
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Feb 28, 2006 14:16:11 GMT 10
Yeah i'd pay a bit more and get a proper external one. Thats what its designed to be, less things that can go wrong than with an adapeter thingy.
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 28, 2006 16:45:52 GMT 10
Maxtor 100gig External is $192 from MSY, which is much cheaper than shay was saying... For 100GB?! What's the point? He clearly stated he wanted more than that. And that's HALF what I worked out with the seperate external case for the same price!! Anyway, if you have the money... might as well go for the external one though. As everyone is saying, it does make things easier for you. Hence why it costs more. I probably wouldn't... but either way. |
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Feb 28, 2006 16:48:21 GMT 10
I want about 100GB-200GB. Hmm, He did say 100-200... and 100 falls into the 100-200 range.... |
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 28, 2006 16:49:52 GMT 10
My point is still valid.
100GB for $200
or
200GB for $200.
Hmm which would I get?
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Feb 28, 2006 16:54:03 GMT 10
Or a 200 gig external for $265. Though it is more expensive, not all of us are jobless bums and can afford things more expensive. External HDDs would have some sort of protection against shock and stuff cause they are meant to be portable. Regular HDDs are meant to sit in a computer nad not move. I would pay the extra, epecially if he has the money to go and buy a $140 keyboard.
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 28, 2006 19:52:47 GMT 10
You don't think the external hard drive case would allow for shock?
And did he buy that keyboard with the lcd screen that is more or less useless but SOUNDS good? Who the hell looks at their keyboard when they're playing games or on the PC. That's what touch typing is supposed avoid.
If he got that... he deserves to get the more expensive one.
Either way, I vote my help in this subject to be quite good.
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Post by acid on Feb 28, 2006 20:29:05 GMT 10
Ok I bought a G15 keyboard and an icemat mouse pad along with a 160GB Western Digital external hdd for $210....all from scorptec bit expensive i agree but i think they are good....lol like all the problems arach has with that place up in qld....rofl....anyway i think it totaled around 350-400...just about to confirm order thanks for ur help guys |
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Feb 28, 2006 20:57:29 GMT 10
omg you bought something from Scorptec. You must be the richest, or most foolish, person alive.
Sure, that place in qld was shit... but why not get something from a damned PC STORE.
Or do you live on a farm somewhere?
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Post by neVyn on Feb 28, 2006 22:10:45 GMT 10
scorptec is a pretty good shop..
they are slightly higher than msy.. but on the plus side they do delivery where msy doesnt
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Post by acid on Feb 28, 2006 23:01:44 GMT 10
i like scorptec...good service
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Post by LeFtBehinD on Feb 28, 2006 23:11:20 GMT 10
scorptec is a pretty good shop.. they are slightly higher than msy.. but on the plus side they do delivery where msy doesnt Lol, u mean MSY is about half the price that Scorptec is. |
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Mar 1, 2006 1:32:25 GMT 10
I don't care about deliveries. I have some almost unknown shop fairly nearby that's cheap, and there's also CenterCom. I'd rather not pay for delivery so I could wait even longer to get it.
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Mar 1, 2006 4:49:50 GMT 10
Yeah, like said, thats cause you're a jobless bum |
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Post by LeFtBehinD on Mar 1, 2006 7:05:04 GMT 10
lol, nothing like buying a video card from Scorptec then having to return it over an hours drive away ey brenton?
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Post by neVyn on Mar 1, 2006 9:35:39 GMT 10
lol.. but if your acid.. who is obviously not 18 and doesnt have a car and doesnt drive.. then delivery is sort of a big deal unless his parents drive him
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Post by Scruffy Dog on Mar 1, 2006 12:36:32 GMT 10
Yeah, like said, thats cause you're a jobless bum So, because you have a job you would DELIBERATELY pay EXTRA money to have the priveledging of having to wait over a week instead of getting it immediately. Insteresting logic. And I don't have a licence, it's not hard to get parents to drive you unless they're cold and heartless bastards. |
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Post by -Vi2- IriDiuM on Mar 1, 2006 12:54:22 GMT 10
Yeah, you are a jobless bum, so not only can you not pay for delivery, you also cant drive to go get it. Thats a lose/lose situation right there.
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