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#1
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which backup harddrive
Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am
undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s |
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#2
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which backup harddrive
sdlomi2 wrote:
Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s My own personal and entirely biased recommendation is for Seagates - have had great luck with the 500GB models lately. 7200RPM. SATA drives may be an even better option. I suggest you look at independent product revews (PC magazine, etc). |
#3
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which backup harddrive
sdlomi2 wrote:
Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s The issue is enclosures, and whether or how they contribute to product unreliability. I have read a few reports, of certain external products that come with their own enclosures, which fail soon after purchase. Your choices are, to buy an enclosure yourself, and fit a drive to it. Or buy a pre-built external. Reading the reviews on Newegg can provide some feedback on the pre-built ones. Things I want to see in an enclosu 1) On/Off switch. The drive should run continuously, with no power save mode while I'm using it. I should be able to switch it off when I'm finished. 2) Ideally, the power supply should be inside the enclosure. But that is not the way the industry is leaning. Many drives put the power outside, which means it is easier to lose the adapter or cabling. 3) Cooling. I like an enclosure with a fan. And there is more to it than that. Some have fans, but no intake vents! How stupid is that. The fan in the bottom of this one, is one of those thin ones, and probably won't last forever, but at least it is a fan. Many enclosures have no cooling features, and those I'd stay away from. Especially when using very large drives. This one uses external power, which I don't like. But since it has a fan, I'd probably buy it. AMS VENUS DS-2316B2BK Aluminum 3.5" USB 2.0 Black External Enclosure - Retail $38 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145656 http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...145-656-02.jpg Enclosures come in IDE and SATA models, so select the right type for the job. Paul |
#4
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which backup harddrive
"Paul" wrote in message ... sdlomi2 wrote: Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s The issue is enclosures, and whether or how they contribute to product unreliability. I have read a few reports, of certain external products that come with their own enclosures, which fail soon after purchase. Your choices are, to buy an enclosure yourself, and fit a drive to it. Or buy a pre-built external. Reading the reviews on Newegg can provide some feedback on the pre-built ones. Things I want to see in an enclosu 1) On/Off switch. The drive should run continuously, with no power save mode while I'm using it. I should be able to switch it off when I'm finished. 2) Ideally, the power supply should be inside the enclosure. But that is not the way the industry is leaning. Many drives put the power outside, which means it is easier to lose the adapter or cabling. 3) Cooling. I like an enclosure with a fan. And there is more to it than that. Some have fans, but no intake vents! How stupid is that. The fan in the bottom of this one, is one of those thin ones, and probably won't last forever, but at least it is a fan. Many enclosures have no cooling features, and those I'd stay away from. Especially when using very large drives. This one uses external power, which I don't like. But since it has a fan, I'd probably buy it. AMS VENUS DS-2316B2BK Aluminum 3.5" USB 2.0 Black External Enclosure - Retail $38 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145656 http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...145-656-02.jpg Enclosures come in IDE and SATA models, so select the right type for the job. Paul Thanks to all. To Paul, esp., iirc you advocate 5400-rpm ext. h/ds due to cooler operation. However, I just bought a Seagate 500-gig ext. h/d, this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148235) at a sale price, like $95. Would I be safer to buy the N82E16817145656 and swap the S/G h/d over to it? My original idea was to do such, with one in my stockpile, with fan(s) and ducts--bo't it ~a year ago and it's been in my attic. The one you pointed out looks better built, tho'. sdlomi2 |
#5
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which backup harddrive
On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:02:44 -0500, "sdlomi2"
wrote: Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s What external HD you choose has absolutely nothing to do with the OS. Ask elsewhere |
#6
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which backup harddrive
sdlomi2 wrote:
Thanks to all. To Paul, esp., iirc you advocate 5400-rpm ext. h/ds due to cooler operation. However, I just bought a Seagate 500-gig ext. h/d, this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148235) at a sale price, like $95. Would I be safer to buy the N82E16817145656 and swap the S/G h/d over to it? My original idea was to do such, with one in my stockpile, with fan(s) and ducts--bo't it ~a year ago and it's been in my attic. The one you pointed out looks better built, tho'. sdlomi2 The first review for the FreeAgent, mentions heat as an issue. What the right option is, really depends on how the warranty works for the product. If opening the product, voids the warranty on the disk, then you'd be at the mercy of the quality of the disk. Yes, it might not die from heat then, by fitting it to another enclosure, but if you have problems, you might not have warranty coverage. If the FreeAgent is easy to get open, then swapping won't have as many downsides. If getting it open will mark up the casing, then a future attempt to get warranty service may be rejected based on a claim of "abuse". So it really depends on warranty issues, as to what to do. If it was mine, it wouldn't stay in that FreeAgent case for more than 5 minutes :-) Paul |
#7
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which backup harddrive
"Paul" wrote in message ... sdlomi2 wrote: Trying to choose a backup device for an XP Pro-run system, I am undecided after reading reviews on different makes and models of external hard drives. I like the idea of using a hd and esp. the idea of an external one, for obvious purposes. Please help on selecting a dependable brand and model. Also, if, say a 250-gig might be more reliable than a 500-gig? And if a 5400-rpm might be better than a 7200-rpm? s The issue is enclosures, and whether or how they contribute to product unreliability. I have read a few reports, of certain external products that come with their own enclosures, which fail soon after purchase. Your choices are, to buy an enclosure yourself, and fit a drive to it. Or buy a pre-built external. Reading the reviews on Newegg can provide some feedback on the pre-built ones. Things I want to see in an enclosu 1) On/Off switch. The drive should run continuously, with no power save mode while I'm using it. I should be able to switch it off when I'm finished. Power save is determined by the operating system. It instructs the drive to stop or not after a certain idle time. 2) Ideally, the power supply should be inside the enclosure. But that is not the way the industry is leaning. Many drives put the power outside, which means it is easier to lose the adapter or cabling. Internal supplies are unknown these days. 3) Cooling. I like an enclosure with a fan. And there is more to it than that. Some have fans, but no intake vents! How stupid is that. There are enclosures these days that are made of aluminium and are constructed such that the drive is in contact with the enclosure. These don't require a fn at all. Freecom make a range, but only with drives already fitted. One requirement worth looking at is is to try and get an enclosure with a Firewire interface. This can speed up drive access time significantly, particularly the newer Firewire 800 interface. |
#8
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which backup harddrive
external HD ??/!! |
#9
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which backup harddrive
"sdlomi2" wrote in message
.. . external HD ??/!! Eh? |
#10
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which backup harddrive
sdlomi2 wrote:
external HD ??/!! Ignore all posts by the troll who aptly calls himself NoConsequence. |
#11
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which backup harddrive
On Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:07:21 -0500, "sdlomi2"
wrote: external HD ??/!! What, you don't read or understand your own posts? YOU mentioned external drive here. |
#12
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which backup harddrive
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" hoo.com wrote in message ... sdlomi2 wrote: external HD ??/!! Ignore all posts by the troll who aptly calls himself NoConsequence. Better still put him in your kill file now - it saves time later. |
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