Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> wrote:
> One thing to watch out for is a chipset or Windows incompatibility where
> certain units must be inserted into USB and detached only during the
> Windows session. Otherwise things can lock up. I have that problem on my
> nforce 3 motherboard with some units.
Interesting. I have not had that problem. The only worse case scenrarios
is Windows XP and Vista not detecting the drive (mounting?) or HDD just
stops responding that requires me to power it off and on (not the
computer). I believe they are from old ages.
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Kropotkin
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Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
I forgot to mention that sizes can be various. Just list them all. And
these drives need to work outside of Windows like those bootable imaging
DVDs, Norton Ghost, etc.
Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups.
> It can be a name brand bundled one or enclosure + HDD. However, it has
> to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb, I know -- I
> guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually GB
> sized) and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future Windows.
> Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need a fast USB 2
> connection (these machines are over three years old and will get new
> machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy software, encryption,
> etc. I just need storage to switch between many different Windows
> machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about colors and sizes either since
> they will be on the floor or desk). AC power is fine if needed. The
> portable drive needs to be stay cool (hated Maxtor OneTouch that got
> super hot even in AC environments and many broke down in the past from
> others' and my experiences).
> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands, and bundled
> ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told StarTech was good. Is
> this still true today?
> Thank you in advance.
--
"The ants and termites have renounced the Hobbesian war." --Petr
Kropotkin
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Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote
>>> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups.
>>> It can be a name brand bundled one or enclosure + HDD. However, it
>>> has to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb,
>>> I know -- I guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
>>> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually GB sized)
>> You dont say what total size you need.
> Um, smallest to biggest on cdw.com. I will narrow down once I have enough on my list.
Presumably you mean that the smallest are big enough, in which case the 2.5" drives are fine.
>>> and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future Windows.
>>> Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need a
>>> fast USB 2 connection (these machines are over three years old and
>>> will get new machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy
>>> software, encryption, etc. I just need storage to switch between
>>> many different Windows machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about
>>> colors
>>> and sizes either since they will be on the floor or desk). AC power
>>> is fine if needed. The portable drive needs to be stay cool (hated
>>> Maxtor OneTouch that got super hot even in AC environments and
>>> many broke down in the past from others' and my experiences).
>> One approach is to get one that uses a 2.5" drive. Those run
>> much cooler than 3.5" drives but do have less total capacity.
>>> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands,
>>> and bundled ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told
>>> StarTech was good. Is this still true today?
> Aren't 2.5" slower?
Yes, but if you are using USB2 drives, thats the main limit on speed.
> I am willing to sacrifice for bigger physical sizes
> (disk space and dimensions) for faster speed.
> Are there enclosures that can use both 2.5" and 3.5"?
Havent noticed any and you should be able to check if cdw flogs any that do.
Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote:
> I forgot to mention that sizes can be various. Just list them all.
> And these drives need to work outside of Windows
> like those bootable imaging DVDs, Norton Ghost, etc.
Not clear what you mean by that. You cant boot many of them at all.
> Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote:
>> Hi all.
>
>> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups.
>> It can be a name brand bundled one or enclosure + HDD. However, it
>> has to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb, I
>> know -- I guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
>
>> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually
>> GB sized) and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future
>> Windows. Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need
>> a fast USB 2 connection (these machines are over three years old and
>> will get new machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy
>> software, encryption, etc. I just need storage to switch between
>> many different Windows machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about
>> colors and sizes either since they will be on the floor or desk). AC
>> power is fine if needed. The portable drive needs to be stay cool
>> (hated Maxtor OneTouch that got super hot even in AC environments
>> and many broke down in the past from others' and my experiences).
>
>> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands, and
>> bundled ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told StarTech was
>> good. Is this still true today?
>
>> Thank you in advance.
>
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>>> http://aqfl.net
> \ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by
> e-mail. ( )
Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
Previously Ed Light <nobody@nobody.there> wrote:
> Arno Wagner wrote:
>> Sorry, but do your own work. Unless you are willing to pay a
>> consulting fee?
> Arno, he's looking for people who have experience with external HD's or
> have already seen some good reviews.
He seems to be looking for people that read the cathalog for him.
I am happy to recomend some good hardware, but not with these
restrictions.
Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
On 8/4/2008 5:43 PM PT, Rod Speed typed:
> Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote
>
>>>> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups.
>>>> It can be a name brand bundled one or enclosure + HDD. However, it
>>>> has to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb,
>>>> I know -- I guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
>
>>>> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually GB sized)
>
>>> You dont say what total size you need.
>
>> Um, smallest to biggest on cdw.com. I will narrow down once I have enough on my list.
>
> Presumably you mean that the smallest are big enough, in which case the 2.5" drives are fine.
>
>>>> and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future Windows.
>>>> Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need a
>>>> fast USB 2 connection (these machines are over three years old and
>>>> will get new machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy
>>>> software, encryption, etc. I just need storage to switch between
>>>> many different Windows machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about
>>>> colors
>>>> and sizes either since they will be on the floor or desk). AC power
>>>> is fine if needed. The portable drive needs to be stay cool (hated
>>>> Maxtor OneTouch that got super hot even in AC environments and
>>>> many broke down in the past from others' and my experiences).
>
>>> One approach is to get one that uses a 2.5" drive. Those run
>>> much cooler than 3.5" drives but do have less total capacity.
>
>>>> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands,
>>>> and bundled ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told
>>>> StarTech was good. Is this still true today?
>
>> Aren't 2.5" slower?
>
> Yes, but if you are using USB2 drives, thats the main limit on speed.
Ah OK, what about ESATA, firewire, etc. options? Not that I need them
but they are nice to have. I don't think I will ever need to use the HDD
in the PCs, but you never know.
>> I am willing to sacrifice for bigger physical sizes
>> (disk space and dimensions) for faster speed.
>> Are there enclosures that can use both 2.5" and 3.5"?
--
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Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
On 8/4/2008 7:32 PM PT, Ed Light typed:
> Ant wrote:
>
>> Awesome. http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/def...px?edc=1238243 has
>> this enclosure. I might try this. This only does SATA and does it do
>> both 2.5 and 3.5" sizes? I don't see it in the specifications.
>
> Click the little Specs tab by the Overview tab. It says Form Factor 3.5".
Ah, I didn't know what form factor 3.5" meant both 2.5" and 3.5" compatible.
> Search CDW for "Caviar Green" and you'll get the hard drives. Not sure
> about the $5,391.99 one!
Ouch $5K. No way my bosses will approve that!
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send their old ladies." --Wilson and Holldobler
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Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
On 8/4/2008 5:45 PM PT, Rod Speed typed:
>> I forgot to mention that sizes can be various. Just list them all.
>
>> And these drives need to work outside of Windows
>> like those bootable imaging DVDs, Norton Ghost, etc.
>
> Not clear what you mean by that. You cant boot many of them at all.
I meant with bootable DVDs with BartPE (running Windows XP and Vista
base OS -- think of Ultimate Boot CD for Windows), Linux (if needed),
etc. I do a lot of imaging and restoring of Ghost images on my PCs for
testings.
>> Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote:
>>> Hi all.
>>> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups.
>>> It can be a name brand bundled one or enclosure + HDD. However, it
>>> has to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb, I
>>> know -- I guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
>>> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually
>>> GB sized) and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future
>>> Windows. Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need
>>> a fast USB 2 connection (these machines are over three years old and
>>> will get new machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy
>>> software, encryption, etc. I just need storage to switch between
>>> many different Windows machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about
>>> colors and sizes either since they will be on the floor or desk). AC
>>> power is fine if needed. The portable drive needs to be stay cool
>>> (hated Maxtor OneTouch that got super hot even in AC environments
>>> and many broke down in the past from others' and my experiences).
>>> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands, and
>>> bundled ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told StarTech was
>>> good. Is this still true today?
>>> Thank you in advance.
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"An ant is over six feet tall when measured by its own foot-rule."
--Slovenian
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Ant is currently not listening to any songs on his home computer.
Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days?
Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> Ant <ANTant@zimage.com> wrote
>>>>> I am in a need to get another external portal HDD for mostly backups. It can be a name brand bundled one or
>>>>> enclosure + HDD. However, it
>>>>> has to be from cdw.com since my boss and employer said so (dumb,
>>>>> I know -- I guess it is the contracts or discounts?).
>>>>> Anyways, I need a big HDD that will carry lots of BIG files (usually GB sized)
>>>> You dont say what total size you need.
>>> Um, smallest to biggest on cdw.com. I will narrow down once I have enough on my list.
>> Presumably you mean that the smallest are big enough, in which case the 2.5" drives are fine.
>>>>> and will be used in mostly Windows XP, Vista, and future Windows.
>>>>> Firewire is an option, but not required. I definitely need a
>>>>> fast USB 2 connection (these machines are over three years old and
>>>>> will get new machines eventually). I do NOT need those fancy
>>>>> software, encryption, etc. I just need storage to switch between
>>>>> many different Windows machines (mostly Dell). I don't care about colors
>>>>> and sizes either since they will be on the floor or desk). AC power is fine if needed. The portable drive needs to
>>>>> be stay cool (hated
>>>>> Maxtor OneTouch that got super hot even in AC environments and
>>>>> many broke down in the past from others' and my experiences).
>>>> One approach is to get one that uses a 2.5" drive. Those run
>>>> much cooler than 3.5" drives but do have less total capacity.
>>>>> So, please kindly list which ones (enclosures, HDD brands,
>>>>> and bundled ones) are the best to get. In the past, I told
>>>>> StarTech was good. Is this still true today?
>>> Aren't 2.5" slower?
>> Yes, but if you are using USB2 drives, thats the main limit on speed.
> Ah OK, what about ESATA, firewire, etc. options?
eSATA has a lot of advantages.
> Not that I need them but they are nice to have.
Yep, particularly eSATA. Firewire is ending up as rather a deadend now.
> I don't think I will ever need to use the HDD in the PCs, but you never know.
Thats one reason to avoid eSATA if they are older systems that dont have SATA drive support.
>>> I am willing to sacrifice for bigger physical sizes
>>> (disk space and dimensions) for faster speed.
>>> Are there enclosures that can use both 2.5" and 3.5"?
Re: Which external portable HDD to get these days? 
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