Adding 120 GB external HD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terry Pinnell
  • Start date Start date
T

Terry Pinnell

I'm considering buying an external 120 GB HD, as the 40 GB on my
3-yera old Athlon 1800 (512 MB) PC is getting stretched. I'm no
hardware expert, so would appreciate any advice on whether there are
any particular types I should focus on, any points to watch out for,
etc.

I gather these units attach via a USB socket, and I'm already using 8
of these, so I'll need yet another extension (or a larger one than my
present 4-socket type).
 
I'm no techie, but you may be interested in my post just a few hours after
yours. Briefly, I found that a 120 gig Iomega drive too loud to use. Also,
I noticed that transfer and download times to the drive were slow. Upon
checking with Iomega tech support, I was told this was because I had four or
five USB devices going already (a printer, scanner, Palm device, etc).
Apparently, the more, the slower. I installed a Firewire PCI card (the
Iomega goes USB or Firewire) which seemed to remedy this a bit. -Jeff
 
Jeff Linder said:
I'm no techie, but you may be interested in my post just a few hours after
yours. Briefly, I found that a 120 gig Iomega drive too loud to use. Also,
I noticed that transfer and download times to the drive were slow. Upon
checking with Iomega tech support, I was told this was because I had four or
five USB devices going already (a printer, scanner, Palm device, etc).
Apparently, the more, the slower. I installed a Firewire PCI card (the
Iomega goes USB or Firewire) which seemed to remedy this a bit. -Jeff
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's exactly the sort of feedback I'm after. Noise would
worry me too.

I have several USB devices but only a couple are in use at any time
(KB, mouse and pocket PC). The rest are for occasional use (printer,
scanner, digital camera, GPS unit, CF/SD card reader). So I don't
understand why there should be a significant performance hit. I'd use
the 120 GB primarily for music, so I wouldn't want to suffer any
degradation.
 
I'm considering buying an external 120 GB HD, as the 40 GB on my
3-yera old Athlon 1800 (512 MB) PC is getting stretched. I'm no
hardware expert, so would appreciate any advice on whether there are
any particular types I should focus on, any points to watch out for,
etc.

I gather these units attach via a USB socket, and I'm already using 8
of these, so I'll need yet another extension (or a larger one than my
present 4-socket type).
Click to expand...

Why do you want an external drive? Get an internal drive it will cost have
as much and will be higher performance.
 
Terry said:
Thanks, that's exactly the sort of feedback I'm after. Noise would
worry me too.

I have several USB devices but only a couple are in use at any time
(KB, mouse and pocket PC). The rest are for occasional use (printer,
scanner, digital camera, GPS unit, CF/SD card reader). So I don't
understand why there should be a significant performance hit. I'd use
the 120 GB primarily for music, so I wouldn't want to suffer any
degradation.
Click to expand...

Just get a 4 port usb 2.0 hub - they have their own power and relieves the
main usb ports on the motherboard. I have a dlink, and it works very well.
Gives me 4 more connections with no strain on my existing system.

I have usb ups, external hd, hotas flight system, ff wheel and pedals,
printer, digital camera. I keep the hub within easy reach , makes connecting
and disconnecting peripherals a breeze.
 
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