External Hard Drive

Lona · Sep 28, 2008, 13:53:20

I have just bought another ex HD and want to connect it to one pc, copy files and then connect it to another pc.

Will that work or does it have to be left in the pc it was first installed on.?

Glenn · Sep 28, 2008, 13:55:29

You can move it about as you like Lona

Lona · Sep 28, 2008, 14:25:42

Quote from: Glenn on Sep 28, 2008, 13:55:29
You can move it about as you like Lona

That's good as I read on another site WD external HD wasn't portable.

Sebby · Sep 28, 2008, 14:40:23

I don't know where you read that, Lona, but it's simply not true.

David · Sep 28, 2008, 22:48:19

For asking Lona I needed this questioned answered

Lona · Sep 29, 2008, 01:01:57

Another question...................

When connected to pc running vista WD installs driver. Will that still be OK if connected to a PC running XP?

Odos · Sep 29, 2008, 01:21:08

Quote from: Lona on Sep 29, 2008, 01:01:57
Another question...................

When connected to pc running vista WD installs driver. Will that still be OK if connected to a PC running XP?

If it's a USB drive it's strange that it would install any drivers as both Vista and XP have their own built in ones.

But to answer the question. If it's USB then it should connect to any PC or laptop running Vista or XP without the need for any drivers at all though it may try to install it's own if you allow it.

If on the other hand it's an external SATA drive ( I use these as they're a hell of a lot faster ) then drivers would usually be a must.

Cheers

Gary · Sep 29, 2008, 06:26:00

WD comes with its own software for icons etc it will work on Vista, I had issues with mine znd now use Lacie firewire/e-sata drives for speed of transfer, usb is faster in short bursts but for continuous transfer of large amounts of data firewire is better, e-sata even better than that

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-104-LC&utm_source=froogle

Sebby · Sep 29, 2008, 08:46:19

The drivers are installed on Windows by Windows. The other software is optional. The drive doesn't know it's been installed previously, if that makes sense.

Lona · Sep 29, 2008, 12:01:00

That HD looks good Gary. I bought the WD as I already have one and I found it easy to use and I don't really need speed as I only store photos, music and movies.

I didn't install the software, Sebby as it only clutters up your pc.

Thanks for your help.

Rik · Sep 29, 2008, 12:55:39

If anyone is interested, Aldi have a 500GB drive for £50 on Thursday, USB & e-SATA.

http://uk.aldi.com/uk/html/offers/58_7350.htm

Steve · Sep 29, 2008, 13:46:42

It looks a good price,Although Ive seen 500Gb drives with 16Mb cache and 3Gb/s quotes for eSATA sounds optimistic? mind you my nearest Aldi is miles away.

Glenn · Sep 29, 2008, 14:26:01

Mine is about 300yds away across the road

Rik · Sep 29, 2008, 15:11:49

Ours is about 600 yards.