External HD questions

[tool_462 0]

I am just double-checking that this setup will work the way I plan. Am I correct in thinking that this hard drive enclosure:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1281816&CatId=0

 

will work if I simply plug in this HD:

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=322750

 

is it compatible and is there anything i should know about setting up a HD just to back up my photos on?

[Sampson 0]

It ought to work. It's the right size. The only reservations I would have are 1) if your computer supports USB 2.0 and 2) the amount of draw on your USB port. While the Sabrent is backwards compatible with USB1.1, the speed difference will be very noticeable. Perhaps, as a backup disk, you might not really care. My second reservation is more of a concern. USB ports are flakey. Personally, I think that they are a pain in the neck. If you have any other USB devices connected, the USB ports are infamous about being unable to sustain the current to keep them going. Then, they quit on you for no reason. So, if you have a printer, for example, that can run as either USB or through the parallel port, switch it to the parallel port. If you have a DSL or cable modem, use the ethernet connection. In other words, don't overload USB.

[thatsteveguy 0]

I have an external drive that is both firewire and usb2.0 and I can say that if you can get firewire go with that. USB is so friggin slow when it comes to these drives.

I transfered 30gb the other day using the usb and it took close to 5 hours to move and the same amount of data moved in about 20 mins over the firewire port.

If you have no choice go with usb2 but if you can go firewire instead.

 

S

[tool_462 0]

ok thanks for the tips! I have only a few things plugged into USB ports and my pc has 2.0. I only have my usb plug for my MP3 player and my digital camera in there, and my mouse. but i can use a USB-> PS2 adapter for the mouse if needed.

 

thanks again!