USB External Hard Disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jack Gillis
  • Start date Start date
J

Jack Gillis

I want to add an external USB hard disk to my system and need a little
planning help.

1. Will I be able to partition the disk into several partitions? And
how will XP assign the letters? Will I be able to change the assignments
as I can with a normal IDE disk?

2. Where does the external disk get its power? External adapter maybe?

3. I've several good IDE drives around. Can I put one into a special
USB case and use it? (Probably just dreaming!)

4. Without going out on a limb, do certain brands have a better track
record with XP than others?

Thank you for any thoughts on this.
 
1. You will be able to partition the disk in the same way you can
partition fixed HDD. Whereas WINXP will allocate drive letters to the
partitions initially you can change the allocations to suit. In all respects
the external drive can be treated as a "fixed" HDD.

2. Either from an external adaptor or , if using a Cardbus type card
(laptop), you can purchase a card with a power point in the card. I have a
external drive with both USB and firewire for use with my laptop. I use the
firewire port and tap power to the drive from a USB port.

3. You can mount a IDE drive in a case. If you buy a drive with a HDD,
the HDD will be a conventional HDD. Make sure you purchase the size of case
suitable for the size of the HDD (3.5" or 2.5")

4. I have a "no name" brand with an Oxford chipset suitable for both USB
and firewire, purchased through e bay. Has worked without problems for the
past 12 months. No need to pay a premium for a "named" brand ( Lacie etc)
 
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