NationStates Jolt Archive

After having to RMA my video card and not being able to use my main computer for a week, I realize I want (kind of need) an external harddrive to store all my general, non-computer specific data.

Therefore, I am looking for suggestions on a 200-320GB external harddrive.

I've got a WD MyBook. I wouldn't recommend them, they seem quite unreliable, mine's continually refusing to connect properly (turns on fine, spins, just gives I/O errors if you try to connect).

I have 160 TrekStor. Generally, the big and bulky ones with external power feeds seem to be more stable.

After having to RMA my video card and not being able to use my main computer for a week, I realize I want (kind of need) an external harddrive to store all my general, non-computer specific data.

Therefore, I am looking for suggestions on a 200-320GB external harddrive.

I use Seagate... no complaints so far.

I know a lot of people who use LaCie hard drives. They're robust, generally pretty high spec and a variety of connectors. But then they're also marketed at the graphics industry and cost slightly more because of their niche market.

a 320Mb with a USB2 connector would set you back ~£50 in the UK. But a 4 terrabyte raid tower with gigabit Ethernet connection and FW800 would cost you around ~£1,500. Plus they also tend to look pretty. I think they even have one tower with a case designed by Porsche. >.>

Another option TPH, is to buy an external casing and a regular Harddrive. ;)

I use Seagate... no complaints so far.
A seagate what.

An enclosure + harddrive is a possibility, but that requires two suggestions -_-

A seagate what.

I have two 40 gig drives and one 160 gig drive

An enclosure + harddrive is a possibility, but that requires two suggestions -_-

encloures are more your taste on looks. of course you want one with a small fan built in as well as the proper connections inside that would work with whatever hard drive you end up choosing.

I have two 40 gig drives and one 160 gig drive
I meant design..
Something like Seagate [name of the thing].
Like this is what I was looking at: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3094179&sku=S130-8000

I go back a ways with my external harddrive. It's an Iomega 80 Gig that I've had for three or four years, and I've been backing my extra data up on it ever since. I've not had any problems*. although it's starting to get towards the full side.







*Knock on wood

I meant design..
Something like Seagate [name of the thing].
Like this is what I was looking at: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3094179&sku=S130-8000

ah, sorry,

40 gig drive (http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=dfgdfgdf&vgnextoid=2d1cf3a561cfd010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ce40d21c2f32b010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&reqPage=Model)

and my 160 gig looks like this...
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/computers/seagate_160gb.jpg

I’d highly recommend the Freecom 250Gb External.

It’s sleek-looking, damn near silent, and pretty cheap; I picked one up for around £50/$100.

Although if it’s hi-speed transfers you’re looking for, get a HDD with firewire.

I go back a ways with my external harddrive. It's an Iomega 80 Gig that I've had for three or four years, and I've been backing my extra data up on it ever since. I've not had any problems*. although it's starting to get towards the full side.
I use a 500GB Iomega drive (one of these (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Iomega%C2%AE-500GB-USB-Hard-Drive/dp/B000JVRQUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200344955&sr=1-1)). It's accessed 24 hours a day (I use it for storing back-ups of our web server) by both Windows (NTFS) and Linux (ext3) without any problems, and it's quiet as a ghost.

I use a 500GB Iomega drive (one of these (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Iomega%C2%AE-500GB-USB-Hard-Drive/dp/B000JVRQUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200344955&sr=1-1)). It's accessed 24 hours a day (I use it for storing back-ups of our web server) by both Windows (NTFS) and Linux (ext3) without any problems, and it's quiet as a ghost.

Sounds good, about $20 more than what I was interested in (in the size I'm looking for).

So I am between this (http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3390587&CatId=2422) and this (http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3094179) for now.

I kinda have DIY system, got one of those multi-drive adapters (can read 2.5" and 3.5" IDE and SATA) and attached it to 2.5" Seagate drive.

Designing a hard drive with a window is not as easy as you might think (http://youtube.com/watch?v=D29pcmw6mUQ). If this were simple more companies would have it but to date, Western Digital is the only company that has a hard drive with a view. The challenges faced to put a window in a hard drive were great and took a team of Western Digital engineers 2 years to figure out...microscopic carbon nanotubes...overall this is a 100% kickass product.

Microscopic carbon nanotubes...

Designing a hard drive with a window is not as easy as you might think (http://youtube.com/watch?v=D29pcmw6mUQ). If this were simple more companies would have it but to date, Western Digital is the only company that has a hard drive with a view. The challenges faced to put a window in a hard drive were great and took a team of Western Digital engineers 2 years to figure out...microscopic carbon nanotubes...overall this is a 100% kickass product.

Microscopic carbon nanotubes...
Wth are you even talking about?

Wth are you even talking about?
Microscopic carbon nanotubes and the Western Digital Raptor X.

The My Book Pro has 3 interfaces: FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0 and the 320 gb drive is $170.

Nobody should have to play Hard Drivin'.

Microscopic carbon nanotubes and the Western Digital Raptor X.

The My Book Pro has 3 interfaces: FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0 and the 320 gb drive is $170.

Nobody should have to play Hard Drivin'.
I still have no idea what you are on about.

Just something to consider. I don't know how much you plan to move your external drives around, but the typical external (3.5" HD) is designed for stationary desktop systems, so the whole "portable" thing is a bit of a misnomer. Consider 2.5" drives as they are designed for laptops and therefor more abuse and movement. Also there are drives coming out that use flash technology like thumb drives and the like. Some are reaching into the 60+GB range. I realize the cost is higher, but for me my data is valuable enough that I'm not willing to take the cheap way out.

Just something to consider. I don't know how much you plan to move your external drives around, but the typical external (3.5" HD) is designed for stationary desktop systems, so the whole "portable" thing is a bit of a misnomer. Consider 2.5" drives as they are designed for laptops and therefor more abuse and movement. Also there are drives coming out that use flash technology like thumb drives and the like. Some are reaching into the 60+GB range. I realize the cost is higher, but for me my data is valuable enough that I'm not willing to take the cheap way out.
Yes, I know all that. I really should explain how I am not a computer idiot in my OPs so people actually bother to give me information I ask for.

I have a WD passport... at least I think that's what it's called... anyways, I have no problems with it, but I've only had it for a bit. It works with my office computer that runs fedora as well as my home computer running xp.

These are the standard ones I use here for the guys that still refuse to save files to the server:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1357196

They are very robust.

I have a Maxtor 200 GB external hard drive. It's where I install my computer games. :)

I might look at an external enclosure. Anyone have any recommendations on an enclosure and harddrive combo.

I bought a 160Gig one recently. Don't know about elsewhere but here you can choose your HDD and casing and the shop will make it up for you free of charge. My just runs off the USB port. Has a little built-in fan.
Cost $60 or $70US I think.

I bought a 160Gig one recently. Don't know about elsewhere but here you can choose your HDD and casing and the shop will make it up for you free of charge. My just runs off the USB port. Has a little built-in fan.
Cost $60 or $70US I think.
Well that's Hong Kong..