External Hardrive

[Bubblehead]

I'm installing an external hard drive for use as secure storage. The only connection between the enclosure and my PC is a USB connector. Can anyone tell me how this works since there is not ribbon connection between the drive and the mobo IDE.

Bubblehead

[congo]

When the hard disk is fitted to the enclosure, it plugs into a type of IDE --> USB adapter I guess.

Why does anyone ever buy these things when it's so simple to add the drive internally?

[Bubblehead]

Because unless I buy a server size case, my  ATX case is plumb full of HDs and removable disk drives. I just want to use this as a secure storage whereby I can easily unplug it (USB) when not it use. Does anyone have any other  idea for secure backup other than copying everything on disks? or getting a larger case?

Bubblehead

[EirePlane]

pen drives? you might need a few if you have a lot of hard drives.

[richardd43]

I use an external HDD for the same reason. All of my important files are backed up there plus a lot of common files that I use on my computer downstairs.

It is a lot slower that an internal drive but mine has 80G portability.

[Fozzer]

Hi Lads...

Purely out of interest...
What does the external Hard drive plug into, on the outside of the case...?
..and where does it get its power from...?

(The internal drive gets its data from the IDE ribbon cable, and is powered from a separate power cable).



Paul The Curious... ....LOL...!

[richardd43]

The external drive gets its power from a wall outlet and connects to the computer via a USB cable or SATA cable, depending on the external drive.

[congo]

The thing that's put me off the external drives is that:

1: The enclosures are so poorly ventilated, (Designers of PC hardware must work in frigid environments with little regard for the billions of people who live in tropical areas)

2. Slower speed

3. More power/interface cords cluttering work area.

I guess if you want to keep all your data on your existing drives I can see why you would need an external solution, but 300-400gb drives are common and cheap now, why not replace your old drives with one or two of the new large capacity drives?

Surely a 300gb drive is cheaper than an external USB setup?

[Fozzer]

One of the uses I can see for an external hard drive is to transfer lots of data from your machine to your mates machine on the other side of town....
...or vice-versa... ...!

Often, I wish I could get my mates to download massive* files for me on their Broadband set-up, and stick them onto an external hard drive for me to take home and transfer to the hard drive on my "dial-up" machine.......!
There are times when CD's don't have sufficient capacity to contain all the files in one go... ...!

Cheers all...!

Paul... ...!

P.S. On 56k dial-up, any download file larger that 5 Meg can safely be regarded as "Massive"... ... ...!
LOL...!

[congo]

But it's just as easy or easier to take 2 screws off the side cover and plug the drive straight onto the IDE cable Paul.

That way you just carry the drive in it's original plastic snaptight box when you move it between locations, or just wrap it in a tea-towel.

Makes the data transfer faster as well.

The thing I like about this method, is the look on yer mates faces when you rip their side cover off before they can say "what are you doing there?"  

[Fozzer]

....The thing I like about this method, is the look on yer mates faces when you rip their side cover off before they can say "what are you doing there?"  

LOL... ... ... ...!

Excellent sugestion Sport... ...!

Cheers Congo...!

Paul...trusty screwdriver in hand... ... ...!

...still laughing... ...!

[congo]

I had a mate, who had a mate. His mate downloaded files for 3 years, lots of files. My mates mate left his PC at my mates house.

I got my mates ........ and their hard drives, and went to my mates house (who had his mates PC temporarily there) and we transfered 3 years work over to our drives in about 30 minutes.

Mates ....... gotta love 'em !