Hard drives

Started by Baz, Apr 23, 2008, 19:04:09

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Baz

Apr 23, 2008, 19:04:09
am looking to get an external HD and wondered what sort do you use and software for back up porpoises


pros and cons of your choice would be helpful too.


know I'll gt one some day :whistle: ;D

Rik

#1
Apr 23, 2008, 19:12:19
I've got several external, USB HDs, Baz, from Seagate, WD, Pika One, Archos, Gericom and LaCie. There's not a lot to choose between them, actual HDs come from Seagate, WD, Samsung, Hitachi and Maxtor. Of the bunch, I'd probably favour the Samsung slightly, however most manufacturers don't tell you what drive is in the enclosure. You could, of course, buy an enclosure and drive, and construct the unit yourself.

I plan to add an e-SATA drive to my collection sometime, as the added speed will be an obvious bonus, but persuading Sue I need yet another external drive might be a problem.

For software, I use Microsoft SyncToy:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx

SyncBack (free)

http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware

Karen's Replicator:

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp
Rik
--------------------

This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Lance

#2
Apr 23, 2008, 19:18:53
Not forgetting TI, Rik! I have a freecom unit, with WD drive and never had a problem with it.
Lance
_____

This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

madasahatter

#3
Apr 23, 2008, 19:19:56
I've got two maxtor drives, and am thinking about getting a third  8)

Baz

#4
Apr 23, 2008, 19:20:29
thanks guys. will take a look at them. What model Samsung is it Rik.



are they all pretty easy to use, mainly just for back up. What sort of speed would be good. Any good or bad  points to be on the look out for

Rik

#5
Apr 23, 2008, 19:21:12
It's on a different machine, Baz, so I can't tell you offhand, sorry.
Rik
--------------------

This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Sebby

#6
Apr 23, 2008, 20:27:43
I've had a few external hard drives in the past, Baz, and have recently got myself a Western Digital My Book Home Edition. IMHO, these are the best external drives out there; it's USB 2.0, Firewire, and eSATA; it switches on and off with your PC automatically, and has a power saving feature where the drive spins down after 10 minutes of inactivity. More information here. :thumb:

Inactive

#7
Apr 23, 2008, 23:45:49
Freecom here Baz, I just switch it on as required, it just works. ;)
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Sebby

#8
Apr 23, 2008, 23:49:28
That's fine, In, as long as you remember. I don't. ;)

Simon

#9
Apr 23, 2008, 23:49:56
Quote from: Inactive on Apr 23, 2008, 23:45:49
Freecom here Baz, I just switch it on as required, it just works. ;)

Same here, In.  ;)
Simon.
--
This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Inactive

#10
Apr 23, 2008, 23:53:40
Quote from: Sebby on Apr 23, 2008, 23:49:28
That's fine, In, as long as you remember. I don't. ;)

;D  :whistle: :zip:
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Sebby

#11
Apr 23, 2008, 23:55:35
:rofl:

Seriously, though, I had a LaCie drive for years and I hardly used it. I had automatic backups scheduled, but I'd always forget to switch it on. With my new WD, if my computer is on, the backup drive is on, and so backups are taking place regularly. Works for me. :thumb:

john

#12
Apr 24, 2008, 00:05:30
I've got a Toshiba 160Gb 7200 rpm External drive, it works quite well and cost about £90 from Costco. That was about 9 months ago now and you'll probably find twice the capacity at half the cost now.

Noreen

#13
Apr 24, 2008, 10:03:29 Last Edit: Apr 24, 2008, 10:51:22 by Noreen
I have a 120GB Maxtor USB drive, used for TI and other backups. I only connect it when required and it works well with Vista's driver although it's getting on a bit now. ;D

When not in use I keep it in another room just for extra security.

Gary

#14
Apr 24, 2008, 10:29:43
I have a lacie which has worked well for years, but I need to repace it with a new usb as TI does not see firewire, till then I'm using the internal 500Gb SATA II seagate storage drive, I think I'll go for another Lacie drive, the "my books" are good but too big for me space is important and the Lacie's are small, I'm going for the 750gb one here they are triple interface so they have e-sata as well :)
Damned, if you do damned if you don't

Inactive

#15
Apr 24, 2008, 10:49:33
Quote from: Killhippie on Apr 24, 2008, 10:29:43
but I need to repace it with a new usb as TI does not see firewire, till then I'm using

Erm..er ...What is/are " TI " Gary?
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Rik

#16
Apr 24, 2008, 10:55:53
Acronis True Image at a guess, In.
Rik
--------------------

This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Inactive

#17
Apr 24, 2008, 10:59:57
 :doh:
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Gary

#18
Apr 24, 2008, 11:01:18
Quote from: Inactive on Apr 24, 2008, 10:49:33
Erm..er ...What is/are " TI " Gary?
or tough in-laws  ;D
Damned, if you do damned if you don't

Inactive

#19
Apr 24, 2008, 11:03:21
Quote from: Killhippie on Apr 24, 2008, 11:01:18
or tough in-laws  ;D

They would need Firewire, it would shift them faster...  ;)
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Gary

#20
Apr 24, 2008, 11:04:23
Quote from: Inactive on Apr 24, 2008, 11:03:21
They would need Firewire, it would shift them faster...  ;)
:rofl: think "firepower" for mine, In
Damned, if you do damned if you don't

Inactive

#21
Apr 24, 2008, 11:09:25
 :flamethrower: :flamethrower: :thumb:
Anything and everything that I post on here is purely my opinion, it ain't going to change the world, you are under no obligation to agree with me, it is purely my expressed opinion.

Baz

#22
Apr 24, 2008, 19:10:08 Last Edit: Apr 24, 2008, 19:13:19 by Baz
Is firewire faster than USB then?

and I guess for eSATA you will need an adapter for the mobo if it doesnt have a connection



anyone got/used these http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128603

Rik

#23
Apr 24, 2008, 19:18:02
Firewire is slower than USB on paper, faster in practice, Baz, depending on which version you get, it comes in 400, 800 and 1600Mbps variants. As it's based on SCSI, it's very efficient. I'm not sure whether you can buy adaptors for e-SATA, the ones I've seen have all been built into the mobo, but you can add an adaptor:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=676567
Rik
--------------------

This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

sobranie

#24
Apr 24, 2008, 19:22:35
Amazon seem to be having a sale on HD's
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