Hard drive docking stations

Ray · Jan 23, 2009, 10:17:22

Has any one had any experience of using a hard drive docking station like this one here? They seem as though they could be be useful and I'm thinking of getting one.

Rik · Jan 23, 2009, 10:18:37

I haven't tried one, yet, Ray, but I have been thinking about getting one...

kinmel · Jan 23, 2009, 10:25:39

Mine works fine, Sata can be hot slotted, Pata needs to be disconnected to fit HDD. You only get USB 2 speeds of course and mine also has a separate power supply, which increases electricity consumption.

Ray · Jan 23, 2009, 10:26:47

Quote from: Rik on Jan 23, 2009, 10:18:37
I haven't tried one, yet, Ray, but I have been thinking about getting one...

Yes, Rik, I thought one would be useful if you've got a disk you want to check out or format etc. I use an external enclosure at the moment but they are a bit of a fiddle by the time you've removed and replaced at least 8 tiny screws and scrabbled about on the floor trying to find the one that you inevitably drop

.

Rik · Jan 23, 2009, 10:33:02

The old 'missing screw' search.

I know it well.

Ray · Jan 23, 2009, 15:13:37

Well I've just taken the plunge and ordered one.

Rik · Jan 23, 2009, 15:16:06

Keep us posted, Ray.

Ray · Jan 23, 2009, 15:16:46

Quote from: Rik on Jan 23, 2009, 15:16:06
Keep us posted, Ray.

Will do, Rik.

Sebby · Jan 24, 2009, 00:24:44

Looks good - I've never seen such a device before.

Steve · Jan 24, 2009, 07:44:17

I think I need one

My usual method of checking a drive is to attach it to another PC this would save a lot of hassle.There are a few more varieties on Amazon

Ray · Jan 24, 2009, 10:51:31

My Hard Disk Docking Station has just arrived

looks good can be connected by USB or esata, it's also got 2 USB ports and an SD card reader slot as well, haven't tried a hard drive in it yet that'll have to wait until my replacement arrives from Seagate.

Rik · Jan 24, 2009, 10:53:03

I'll be interested to hear what you think, Ray. Will you go the eSata route?

Ray · Jan 24, 2009, 10:55:50

Quote from: Rik on Jan 24, 2009, 10:53:03
I'll be interested to hear what you think, Ray. Will you go the eSata route?

I'll use USB most of the time, Rik, I've only got one machine that's got external eSata ports on the MB.

Rik · Jan 24, 2009, 10:57:28

If you ever get a chance to compare, I'd be interested to hear what kind of speed differences you notice.

Ray · Jan 24, 2009, 11:02:21

Quote from: Rik on Jan 24, 2009, 10:57:28
If you ever get a chance to compare, I'd be interested to hear what kind of speed differences you notice.

Yes, I'll let you know when I try it.

I must say I was impressed with the speed of delivery from Cclonline, I only ordered it at about 2:00pm yesterday afternoon and it turned up at about 10:30am today via RM recorded delivery.

Sebby · Jan 24, 2009, 14:50:43

Quote from: Sheltieuk on Jan 24, 2009, 10:55:50
I'll use USB most of the time, Rik, I've only got one machine that's got external eSata ports on the MB.

You want something like this, then.

Ray · Jan 24, 2009, 15:12:09

Quote from: Sebby on Jan 24, 2009, 14:50:43
You want something like this, then.

Just the job, Sebby, I'll have to get one the next time I order something else.

Lance · Jan 24, 2009, 23:52:42

I'm pretty sure that I sawthe same hard drive dock in maplin today for £40

I'd never seen them before this thread!

Sebby · Jan 25, 2009, 11:52:37

You probably did, Lance. I bought an IR extender off of eBay for £10 that they sell for £25 in Maplins!

Rik · Jan 25, 2009, 14:37:34

Maplin were pushing them in a newsletter on Friday.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2009, 15:47:17

The IR extenders?

Rik · Jan 25, 2009, 15:48:00

The drive holders.

Sebby · Jan 25, 2009, 15:49:13

Ah.

Ray · Jan 26, 2009, 12:20:19

The docking station works, I've just had my replacement HD back from Seagate and used the dock to initialise and format it with no problem.

Rik · Jan 26, 2009, 12:29:33

That's good to know, Ray. Another item on my gadget list.