external HD?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary
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G

Gary

I want to get an external hard drive for system backups and extra
storage. I would like to get one that is both USB + Firewire
compatible.Is it better to buy a preconfigured one from say Maxtor or
build my own with an enclosure and hard drive? Any comments and
experiences appreciated.

Gary
 
Gary said:
I want to get an external hard drive for system backups and extra
storage. I would like to get one that is both USB + Firewire
compatible.Is it better to buy a preconfigured one from say Maxtor or
build my own with an enclosure and hard drive? Any comments and
experiences appreciated.

Gary
Click to expand...


If you build one yourself...where would you get the USB + Firewire
interface? It sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth to build
one.
 
If you build one yourself...where would you get the USB + Firewire
interface? It sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth to build
one.
Click to expand...

Actually, it's quite easy. Depending on whether you want USB 2.0, Firewire,
or both, there are many vendors selling external enclosures that can accept
hard drives or DVD/CD drives. Prices ranged from $30-70. If you know how
to install a hard drive or a DVD/CD drive into a system, you are more than
qualified to set up the external drive in the new enclosure. Saves a lot of
money too.

I just looked at a bunch of them.
 
Chuck said:
Actually, it's quite easy. Depending on whether you want USB 2.0, Firewire,
or both, there are many vendors selling external enclosures that can accept
hard drives or DVD/CD drives. Prices ranged from $30-70. If you know how
to install a hard drive or a DVD/CD drive into a system, you are more than
qualified to set up the external drive in the new enclosure. Saves a lot of
money too.

I just looked at a bunch of them.
Click to expand...

Yes, that would certainly make a lot of sense...
I somehow was picturing the OP trying to build his own from scratch.
 
If you build one yourself...where would you get the USB + Firewire
interface? It sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth to build
one.
Click to expand...
There available from ADS, the Dual Link line is both a USB + Fire Wire
enclosure.

Gary
 
I got the Coolmax CD-510B Combo (USB or Firewire) enclosure from
www.newegg.com and a 160GB Western Digital HD ($89 at Office Max after
rebates). The only problem with the enclosure is that the cables are TOO
short...I could only attach the drive in with 1 screw. Fortunately I had a
Y power splitter so I can now attach the HD with 2 screws.

At first I created 3 logical drives (H, I, J) and all went well using USB.
Then I attached it via Firewire...this seemed to "confuse" my computer
(WinXP PRO)...it could see H but not the others and would kinda lock up. I
reformatted as 1 big drive (H) and now it works just fine with USB or
Firewire.

I plan to use it to back up my desktop and my daughter's laptop. I am using
Norton Ghost 2003 in case of a disaster and the built-in NTBackup, in case I
just need to restore a few files or folders.

However, I am still trying to figure out Ghost and am not quite sure whether
to choose "backup" or "clone"...I am thinking "backup". I am in learning
mode on all this!

Anyway...to answer your question. I think it will be cheaper for you to
shop around for an enclosure and find a HD on sale that to buy one pre-made.
Also, you can use the enclosure for an external DVD-RW or whatever, if you
want to.

We use a tape backup at work...this external HD is WAY better and more
flexible!
 
We use a tape backup at work...this external HD is WAY better and more
flexible!
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I'm surprised that some people still think that
Firewire is faster than USB 2.0. IIRC, USB is capable of 480Mbps vs 400Mbps
for Firewire.

An enclosure with a USB 2.0 interface that is easily transported seems like
the way to go if portability is your goal. Also, the price difference
between an external HD ( like the Maxtor One Touch ) and the regular
internal drive with the extra purchase of the enclosure is still cost
effective.
 
My thoughts exactly. I'm surprised that some people still think that
Firewire is faster than USB 2.0. IIRC, USB is capable of 480Mbps vs 400Mbps
for Firewire.
Click to expand...

We think Firewire is faster, because for the most part, it is.
Spec on paper <> real-world performance.
Anyone claiming they're getting even remotely close to 480Mbps
througput on a USB2 HDD is full of it. 160Mbps might be closer to
average.

http://www.frozentech.com/article.php?story_id=27
That's just an exmple, a Google search will Firewire beating USB2
consistently, and neither performing at full theoretical transfer
rate.

Also, there is greater variability in the performance of different
USB2 chipsets. Via is poor, NEC relatively good, Intel integrated
even better.
 
We think Firewire is faster, because for the most part, it is.
Spec on paper <> real-world performance.
Anyone claiming they're getting even remotely close to 480Mbps
througput on a USB2 HDD is full of it. 160Mbps might be closer to
average.

http://www.frozentech.com/article.php?story_id=27
That's just an exmple, a Google search will Firewire beating USB2
consistently, and neither performing at full theoretical transfer
rate.

Also, there is greater variability in the performance of different
USB2 chipsets. Via is poor, NEC relatively good, Intel integrated
even better.
Click to expand...

You got me beat there. I'm only basing my opinion based on the specs I saw
and a few examples I personally saw from a few setups. I never did any
personal testing. IIRC, the 1394 was primarily built to transfer stuff from
video cameras and not for "so called" data transfer. I'll admit I may be
wrong.
 
My reason for wanting the combo enclosure is to have as much
flexibility as possible, not so much for speed. I'm leaning towards
using the ADS dual link enclosure which is not cheap at $90-$100, but
you get what you pay for.Plus I want to use a maxtor drive. Thanks for
all the great feedback.

Gary
 
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