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Which External Hard Drive is the BEST (choices)?? Please Help!
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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22. September 2005 @ 15:24 |
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My Hard Drive is really small with a capacity of 18.6 and I am sick of backing up files to DVD-RW discs to clear some memory so I really need a new hard drive, and internal is NOT an OPTION. I found a few good ones and I do not want to go over $100 or $80 for that matter, perhaps even stick more around $50 but I don't want a terrible one, so please give me your input!!
1st Hard Drive: HP 250 GB Hard Drive - $40 (Seems a little too good to be true...)
Details
Main Features
Manufacturer Sku: 336381001
Brand: HP
Hard Drive Capacity: (what's this?) 250 GB
Enclosure Type: External
Operating System Compatibility: PC
Interface Type: (what's this?) USB
BizRate Product ID: 11487854
Performance
Access Time: (what's this?) 5.4 MS
Rotational speed: (what's this?) 10000 Rpm
Dimensions
Width: 3.5 in
http://bensbargains.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/details_...
2nd Hard Drive: Fantom Titanium 80GB USB 2.0 7200rpm Hard Drive - $77.99 (After $10 Mail-In Rebate; Ends Oct. 31st)
Specifications
Capacity (GB) 80
Interface USB 2.0
Spindle Speed (RPM) 7200
Buffer Memory 2MB
Average Seek (msec) 8.5
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details....
3rd Hard Drive: Maxtor Personal Storage 3100 80GB 7200RPM USB 2.0 & 1.1 External Hard Drive Retail ***Free 2nd Day*** - $69.99
Specifications
Model Maxtor Personal Storage 3100: M01B080
Capacity 80GB
Drive Configuration Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax® 3.5-inch drive with Ultra ATA/133 interface
RPM: 7200
Cache buffer: 2 MB
Interface USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant
External 4-pin connector with hot-plug capability
Supports data transfer rates up to 480Mb/sec
Performance Average seek time: less than or equal to 9.3ms - 80GB model
Bus transfer rate(maximum): USB2 - 480 Mb/sec
Environmental Specifications Operating temperature: 5º C to 35º C (41ºF to 95ºF)
Physical Specifications Dimensions: 1.75 x 6.0 x 8.75 inches
Power Requirements AC input voltage: 100-240 VAC
Input frequency: 47-63 Hz AC
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=100727-1
4th Hard Drive: 80/60/40 GB Fujitsu 2.5" External Hard Disk Drive HDD USB 2.0 - Up to $60 or MORE
Visit these pages on eBay... (they might have ended but more are added)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5243030009&ssP...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5243031716&ssP...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5243031744&ssP...
Ok, Thanx a lot! The cheaper, the happier I am because I also have to buy a new DVD-/+ RW / CD -/+ RW Burner. Also if you have other suggestions, please post. 40GB is fine but if that isn't a good one, I will take ur word, but check it out. THANX AND PLEASE HELP!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22. September 2005 @ 15:47
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Senior Member
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22. September 2005 @ 16:34 |
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Why dont you do this.....
Get this external enclosure.....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817146311
It has a fan and can connest via usb or firewire. Then get a good hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
I believe this can hook via ide. Someone correct me if im wrong. Then your set. Then you can take this anywhere and plug it into any computer...ie library or school comp.
That enclosure has a fan to keep the drive cool and will work also with dvd roms. Its a bigger bay than the standar 3.5 drive, but will work for both. Just got to be creative.
Thats what I would do and that drive I mentioned is very nice with a 8 mb cache which helpes tremendously to speed up the reading and writing.
I would never buy maxtor. Bad..bad drive. Unless you love ups then go for it.
Here is a combo dvd/cd writer im using right now and love it. Im use modded firmware to speed it up a bit and it even came with Nero 6.6 ultra edition.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106988
Ypu aint gonna find a better drive than that for the price and ity even comes with 75.00 dollar software.
Now you can find a 3.5 standard enclosure for drives, but using a 5.25 leaves room for expansion. Say one day you go to school and want to burn something off the school comp. Also better airflow too.
Here is the modded firmware for the drive. Use at your own risk. I havnt had a problem yet.
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html
They also have a download of a patcher so you can create your own firmware. It worked fine with the one I posted. Good luck and never buy a maxtor as long as you live...:>
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ddp
Moderator
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22. September 2005 @ 16:39 |
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ozzy, that is a serial ata drive(sata) not ide(pata)
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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22. September 2005 @ 17:03 |
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ozzy, I had a LITE-ON and Nero froze burning a DVD and now it doesn't burn or read DVDs anymore, hence the fact that I have to buy a new DVD/CD Burner! Well, thanx for your help! Although the suggestions you gave me total around $90 or so! Anything a little less cheaper? Maybe a cheaper external enclosure? Thanks again!
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ddp
Moderator
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22. September 2005 @ 17:07 |
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check for a firmware update & Nero updates.
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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22. September 2005 @ 17:13 |
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I did but it don't work. Tried everything, it is garbage.
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ddp
Moderator
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22. September 2005 @ 17:17 |
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including a cd/dvd disk cleaner??
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Senior Member
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23. September 2005 @ 10:59 |
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Reflash the drive. You probally did something wrong when flashing it. You know what? Mail me the drive. I will buy it from you.
As ddp pointed out that wasnt and pata drive. Oops my mistake....here is the one you need.The one I posted was sata....a totally different animal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144126
As far as the enclosure there are cheaper one you can look at newegg. But I would recommend finding one with a fan and a ac adapter. This way the drive stays cool and has its own juice and not running off the usb or firwire for juice.
But im serious man. I will buy that drive. How much you want?
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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23. September 2005 @ 14:14 |
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Really, you wanna buy it? Well like I said, the CD burner only works and I don't know how to remove a disc drive. Are there instructions on the internet? I probably could do it if there were because I follow instructions well.
Also, I don't really know what is the best for the hard drive concerning the External Enclosure so if you could find a cheaper one I would take your word on it if that isn't too much trouble, otherwise don't bother.
Well help me out on how to remove the disc drive please and then I guess you can just make an offer to me for it. Thanks!
Oh, also, the type of drive I have is "LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1633S". Here is a link to my other forum concerning the problems I am having with my disc drive...
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/226805
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. September 2005 @ 14:19
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Senior Member
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23. September 2005 @ 15:29 |
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It depends on the comp. But usually just pull the front cover off and the side cover. Then there is usually screws or a funky clip holding it in. JUst unscrew or lift the clip and slide out the drive. Pull out the serial connector and power connector and your set. If you post what kind of comp I can give exact directions. I offer you ten bucks plus I will pay shipping since Im taking a chance i may not be able to get it to work. How does that sound? Where are you from so can figure up shipping? I will send ya a money order.
If your happy with the drive I posted with price...then just tell me how you plan to hook the enclosure to your comp. Are you going to be using usb or firwire? Or do you want both compatibility? They do have enclosures for like 20.00.....
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ddp
Moderator
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23. September 2005 @ 15:35 |
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do negotiations on prices by pm
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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23. September 2005 @ 19:34 |
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How do I find out what type of PC I have? It is from like year 2000 and we just had the DVD Burner/CD Burner added around last Christmas and we also had it upgraded from Windows ME to Windows XP. Also, it isn't the "Tower" type computer, it lays on it's side and has a Pentium III. We got it from GATEWAY. That's all I know, sorry...
Oh, and I live in Wisconsin - Shawano City...
Oops! Forgot to answer your other question. Well I don't think I have a firewire plug so I guess I have to use USB...
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. September 2005 @ 19:41
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ddp
Moderator
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23. September 2005 @ 19:37 |
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your's is a desktop like mine which i prefer. when the computer boots up but before windows, there is a post screen that shows you cpu speed, ram, floppy, hd & rom drives, serial & parallel ports plus other things. what does it show for cpu speed & cpu manufacturer??
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. September 2005 @ 19:41
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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23. September 2005 @ 19:40 |
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It is GATEWAY. Isn't that the brand name?
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Senior Member
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23. September 2005 @ 19:42 |
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I need the model number, but it aint hard. Just pull the case off and slide it out.
Is the offer good for you?
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ddp
Moderator
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23. September 2005 @ 19:42 |
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i edited my post after seeing gateway.
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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23. September 2005 @ 19:45 |
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I will check the model number. Also I will let you know about the offer soon. Most likely it is good but I want to wait until I get my new CD/DVD drive first.
EDIT: Is there a way to check the model without shutting off my PC?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. September 2005 @ 19:47
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Freak4Ayu
Newbie
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24. September 2005 @ 22:17 |
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OK, I restarted my PC and all it says is "Gateway", the logo, on boot-up and then goes to the WINDOWS XP loading screen. Not any info there...
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