External hard drive

Crazy Snake Man · 13-08-2006, 8:36 PM

hi, sorry if wrong place, could only see a pc gaming not general pc.

i need to buy an external hard drive as with all my music, videos etc i have filled up my laptop. is there anything paricular i need to be aware of.

i believe i can get one which i plug into usb port (not sure if going for 250gb or 400gb but might go for as big as possible as so cheap - and im a "hoarder""!). if i do this i presume transferring files over will be easy? do they need to plug into mains?

sorry and thanks!

any recommendations of speciific models or suppliers is VERY much appreciated.

**Steven** · 13-08-2006, 9:06 PM

There's a section on external here

As the guide says, 2.5" means just usb, but smaller storage space and slower drives. 3.2" allows more storage space and faster speed, but requires mains

Incidentally I was also looking at buying an external and found these two http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...48872&doy=13m8

Actually I think this may be better for you http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ce=14&doy=13m8

Crazy Snake Man · 13-08-2006, 9:16 PM

thanks, would press the "thanks" button if there was one.

how easy are they to format?

can do mains if thats easier, presume still connects via usb = the 500gb is massive - currys and pc do 400gb for a ton, so not looking to spend much more than that.

will read the links tomorrow, hopefully wont have to bother u with more questions, but can't guarantee that - thks again

**Steven** · 13-08-2006, 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Snake Man

currys and pc do 400gb for a ton, so not looking to spend much more than that

Link?!

I just quickly browsed, but can't find!

Knyght_byte · 13-08-2006, 10:21 PM

damn, 400Gb for a ton, yeah, link please!

cheapest overclockers have a 400Gb looks to be around £140ish......some 320Gb's going for £115-120 and 250Gb's going for just over a ton....

Singh400 · 13-08-2006, 10:54 PM

this is the nearest one i could find on the currys site:

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/stor...m=2&sm=10&tm=1

400gb for 140 quid

*RMCF* · 14-08-2006, 1:21 AM

What about this one? Top brand - 250GB for £75.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/391036

Singh400 · 14-08-2006, 2:46 AM

How about this one:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...60000,44000000

400gb for 120quid

Crazy Snake Man · 14-08-2006, 5:19 AM

meant to put 320gb for ton and £120 for 400gb

again sorry, - should what i write before pressing "post"

Kevo · 14-08-2006, 9:03 AM

Why not buy one of those '3.5" caddies' and Hard disk seperate?
Might work out cheaper and you can put in whatever you like, even a DVD ROM/Writer

**Steven** · 14-08-2006, 9:05 AM

Any thoughts on these brands?

Buffalo 250gb £70
Buffalo 300gb £87
ATMT 300gb £90

Crazy Snake Man · 14-08-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

Why not buy one of those '3.5" caddies' and Hard disk seperate?
Might work out cheaper and you can put in whatever you like, even a DVD ROM/Writer

sorry to be blonde (no offence - just joking!) what is caddie?

Mr_Wistles · 14-08-2006, 12:21 PM

Its the outer casing.

You then buy a normal hard drive and put it in there yourself.

Kevo · 14-08-2006, 1:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Snake Man

sorry to be blonde (no offence - just joking!) what is caddie?

aka an 'IckyBox'...

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/sho...CategoryID=235

*RMCF* · 14-08-2006, 1:56 PM

Most of the drives listed here are all working out at roughly the same price per GB, so it would basically boil down to what size of drive you need and the brand, imho.

Its all around 3.2/3.3GB per £, which is incredible.

If I was buying one from all those listed, I'd be trying to get a brand like Seagate before the likes of Freecom and Buffalo. Seagate drives have excellent quality standards.

Crazy Snake Man · 14-08-2006, 6:07 PM

thanks seagate it is then!!! think will go for 300gb.

Crazy Snake Man · 14-08-2006, 8:41 PM

do i need to put antivirus software in the hdd or will it be covered by the anti virus software on the pc?

sorry, im a real novice

Singh400 · 14-08-2006, 8:50 PM

It will be covered by the one on your main harddrive. As long as you set it to scan whenever files are accessed/modified/created/etc

Crazy Snake Man · 15-08-2006, 8:03 AM

ordered the seaate 300gb from maplins.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...Y&doy=15m815m8

can i apologise in advance for all the stupid questions now and later, hope u dont feel taking the mick i REALLY do appreciate your help with everything i am a TOTAL novice!

here comes the stupidty:-

is this one powered via mains?
how do i set anti virus to scan files when saved, created or modified on ext hdd?
should i save to main pc then transfer over if not sure? (would i need to run anti virus on them then - i honestly dont know if norton does it autmoatically)

SO SORRY, i am way out of my league! as u will prob see by my posts on nero and archos!

hottstuff · 15-08-2006, 8:43 AM

TIP: If you plan on using the HDD as a main backup/storage for all your files , make sure it is in a very secure position while on , as the smallest knock can destroy your data.