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Thread ID: 68539	2006-05-02 10:54:00	I want to buy an External Hard Drive ~ Appreciate your Advice...	Princess (7275)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
451468	2006-05-02 10:54:00	:confused: Hiya, wondering if anyone can give me some advice on buying an External Hard Drive. In looking at past postings, it seems Seagate is a recommended brand...not sure what I'm looking at, with all the technical jargon. A friend of mine has a 300GB HDD that is within an enclosure and has a USB connection. I have seen these on trade me, but not sure what the differences are: Seagate 300GB 7200rpm S-ATA II HDD - 16MB Cache Seagate 300GB 7200rpm HDD- 16MB Cache Your recommendations and other tips are much appreciated...thanks :p	Princess (7275)
451469	2006-05-02 11:02:00	SATA is not much use if you're getting an external case for it, as it will be limited by the USB interface anyway. So I'd recommend getting the 2nd option. (I'm assuming it's cheaper?) I recently bought a 250GB + enclosure from SuperCheapPC, and am very pleased with it.	roddy_boy (4115)
451470	2006-05-02 11:31:00	I'd also buy a foam lined case to carry it in, especially if you don't want to go through the experience of trying to return it to Supercheap :D	PaulD (232)
451471	2006-05-02 11:46:00	Lol yeah that's a good plan. I've never personally had any problems with them, but then again, I've never had to return anything. I've already dropped it on the ground twice, it rattles when I shake it now, but still goes fine :D	roddy_boy (4115)
451472	2006-05-02 16:37:00	Lol yeah that's a good plan. I've never personally had any problems with them, but then again, I've never had to return anything. I've already dropped it on the ground twice, it rattles when I shake it now, but still goes fine :D LOL Too funny...As for Externals - I would suggest getting the HD and the Case Seperately - it is very simple to put the harddrive into the little box - make sure you get one with a fan - harddrives get VERY hot...Aluminum case is also good - dissipates heat quickly.	TiJay (6055)
451473	2006-05-02 21:04:00	I have an IDE to USB adapter for mine. Skipped the case altogether - its very useful for me because other than my HDD I can connect other peoples to it for data retrieval, virus scans or whatever....without having to put the things in my PC.	pctek (84)
451474	2006-05-02 22:02:00	I have an IDE to USB adapter for mine. Skipped the case altogether - its very useful for me because other than my HDD I can connect other peoples to it for data retrieval, virus scans or whatever....without having to put the things in my PC. I like the sound of that, can you elaborate a bit more please? I can understand how you would use it for data retrieval (if you do it how I think you do it, that is :p) but how do you do virus scans on other people's hard drives with your external?	FoxyMX (5)
451475	2006-05-02 22:15:00	Foxy, what pctek means is using a normal internal IDE HDD with an IDE to USB adapter, and is able to work with any HDD and run virus scans like that... EDIT, here (www.dansdata.com) is an example of what pctek is talking about (I think) :D Anyway, Princess what do you intend to use the HDD for? ie full backups etc... bascily, the SATAII will not make any difference because it will be limited by the USB anyway, go with the cheapest of the two and get an IDE to USB or SATA to USB (which ever you get) and a case, I suggest an alluminum 5.25 inch with a fan as said before HDDs get HOT.	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
451476	2006-05-02 22:50:00	Foxy, what pctek means is using a normal internal IDE HDD with an IDE to USB adapter, and is able to work with any HDD and run virus scans like that... EDIT, here (www.dansdata.com) is an example of what pctek is talking about (I think) :D Anyway, Princess what do you intend to use the HDD for? ie full backups etc... bascily, the SATAII will not make any difference because it will be limited by the USB anyway, go with the cheapest of the two and get an IDE to USB or SATA to USB (which ever you get) and a case, I suggest an alluminum 5.25 inch with a fan as said before HDDs get HOT. Thanks for the response. I want a HDD to store information other than on a laptop and also to back up files etc. For example, I need to send my laptop into be serviced (work related). I want to take off all my music and other personal files I have stored on the lappy. There is too much on there to fit on a pen drive or other, and discs are a pain to transfer everything to. Friends have also advised that if I intend on purchasing an external HDD, go for the option that can plug directly into a tv. What is IDE? SATAII? Sorry, not up to the play with pc jargon. Is it cheaper to purchase the HDD seperately to the casing or something? Just seems a hassle to purchase two seperate items when you can get them as one already? :confused: Can external HDD's hook directly to other external HDD's to transfer files, pictures etc? Thanks :D	Princess (7275)
451477	2006-05-02 23:08:00	pressf1.pcworld.co.nz Hiya, wondering if anyone can give me some advice on buying an External Hard Drive. In looking at past postings, it seems Seagate is a recommended brand...not sure what I'm looking at, with all the technical jargon. A friend of mine has a 300GB HDD that is within an enclosure and has a USB connection. I have seen these on trade me, but not sure what the differences are: Seagate 300GB 7200rpm S-ATA II HDD - 16MB Cache Seagate 300GB 7200rpm HDD- 16MB Cache Your recommendations and other tips are much appreciated...thanks pressf1.pcworld.co.nz You might consider one like this. www.maxtoronetouchiii.com Whilst I definitely recommend Seagate over Maxtor normally because there is a five year warranty which I have never needed to claim on yet the Maxtor I bought a few days ago works well. Stand alone unit. Plug in power and USB cables and you have a new drive. No need to buy enclosure as it's already enclosed. Pick it up and take it anywhere. My model is is discontinued and is slower than the two SATA 2 Seagate 200 Gig drives I have and also slower than the 160 Gig Seagate ATA drive I use.	Sweep (90)
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