f13.net

I have two HDs, both full. I don't really feel like buying a bigger one, transferring to the new one and replacing an old one. Last time I installed a new drive it was a real pain in the ass.

Are external HDs ok? I plan on using it mostly for backup and seldom-used files so performance isn't a big issue. I don't know anything about external drives at all, anything to avoid or look out for?

What'd you install a new drive on that was a pain in the ass?

Last time I did a new drive (hmm, 2 weeks ago?) it was plug and play. Unless you don't like opening your computer case, an internal drive is the way to go. (Cheaper and much faster transfer rates than even USB2 or Firewire (IIRC)).

But that aside, I think any external drive that fits your budget would work. Unless you wanted something on a flash drive (ie: usb dongle) so you could easily move it above, almost anything would work if you aren't running apps from it.

External USB 2.0/Firewire drives are fine. I have a huge stack of them here in my room. I use USB 2.0 since it's easier to setup hubs and stuff (yes I have that many drives to plug in) but Firewire typically offers slightly better performance. It's generally a bit safer to go with a name brand external drive like Seagate, WD, or Maxtor so you know that the case can dissipate the heat reasonable well. I've worked with some cheapo external drive boxes that were a bit dicey in the cooling department.

The inside of my computer is a bit of a mess to work with, and the last time I installed a drive I had heat problems as well as some configuration problems getting the master/slave stuff to work out. Wouldn't recognize drive, wouldn't boot off the original drive, etc. Had to go online and find some jumper settings, etc.

That was a while ago, I remember it was a pain and for a while I thought it just wasn't going to work for some reason.

Also the smaller drive in my computer that I would want to replace if I got a new internal is the one with the OS on it and such, so I'd rather leave that alone.

It's easy enough to clone a drive (ignoring installation problems), even the one with your OS on it, if you get something like Norton Ghost. I did that number of times with my old machine.

I like the Seagate internals, but we used a couple firewire Maxtors here for a while as backup drives. Speedy. We're now using WD usb2s because we got a ridiculous deal on them. I use an Iomega firewire and an Iomega usb2 for my own troubleshooting stuff. Haven't really had any issues with any of them on pc or mac. (kow)

Just out of curioisity, do any of you use a case with drive bays on it so you can swap this stuff out easier? I'm beginning to think the old days of cracking your case open to install a hard drive are somewhat numbered.

You mean drive bays with built-in IDE or SATA connections? Like they use to hot swap on servers?

My case has detachable drive containers, which make it really easy to put in a new drive - but I still have to hook up the power and SATA cables.

Just don't put the lid back on the case.

Exactly. And it helps with heat problems too. I have Ghost, and I love it. It turned a 3 or 4 hour clean-install ordeal into a 20 minute dream.

Yeah, the lid on my case is off. Kind of annoying noise though, but heat problems went away...

I learned that, when I put the case back on that the machine would not boot because I forgot to put a cable back or forgot to screw in something, etc.  So one day it just never went back on and has worked pretty well since then.

(http://www.yegolev.com/images/xp4.jpg)

OMG NEED CABLE-FU

R U KIDN ME?  See how the USB ports are now actually bolted to the frame?  And all four hard disks are all in actual bays?  That's progress.  I'm just a handful of round-IDE away from total ecstasy.

I'll be sure to post another shot once I upgrade.  PSUx2!

This thread got me to thinking....

Can an external Hard Drive be hooked up to an xBox 360?

Yes (http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/mods/USB%20Hard%20Drive%20Mod.htm).

Very cool, thanks for the info.

I can hook an eSATA to my DVR!