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Backup Harddrive

Discussion in 'General Open/Public Discussion' started by Strygun, 22 Mar 2007.


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  1. Strygun

    Strygun

    Hey folks,

    So.. my laptop's 80gb is filling up faster than I expected. With the capabilities to record tv programs (thanks Media Center), I'm losing space quickly. I dug around in my old computer parts and found a 17.2GB (yeah, weird, I know) Seagate HD that has been sitting around for a while. I also have the computer that I built that just sits at home now, I suppose I could salvage it's 80gb (I think it's 80gb... havn't turned that thing on in forever).

    Assuming that I come up with a harddrive, what other equipment do I need to make it a nice portable backup drive? Let's assume we're talking FireWire, since it's faster than USB.
     
    Strygun, 22 Mar 2007
    #1
  2. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Officer
    The one I have
    I put an old 160Gb hard drive in there and I back up all of my videos and pics onto that one. I like it because all I have to do, once I configured it, was hit that black button and it automatically backed up the folders I told it to look for. The software included won't overwrite files that are already there unless you tell it to, so it's a perfect solution for me. It takes about a minute to back up, so the USB 2.0 interface is good for that. Though, if you really want it blazingly fast, get an external enclosure that supports eSATA and grab an eSATA card for you lappy. Just be sure that the hard drive you install is SATA.
     
    Sentrosi, 22 Mar 2007
    #2
  3. Strygun

    Strygun

    Sent... I've read a few of the reviews for that product. A few of the negatives listed are that the system resources used by this drive are high - I don't want that. (Although I guess if I just hook it up every so often and backup it's not a big deal.) Also, how big is this? Someone said the thing is huge. I don't have a lot of desk real estate in my dorm room. Also, there are no fans in this enclosure.. will the HD get hot?

    I do like the idea of having software to help me keep track of backing things up - and the one touch sounds nice, but I bet there are some freeware programs out there that do the same.
     
    Last edited: 23 Mar 2007
    Strygun, 23 Mar 2007
    #3
  4. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Officer
    It doesn't take up a lot of real estate on my desk, I just put it up by my printer. There is a stand that comes with it and that's what I'm using it with.

    As far as freeware programs, I'm not sure on. All I know is that the drive has yet to fail me, and I've used it for almost a year now. Maybe the others were just morons who didn't read the very simple instructions.

    I don't really pay that much attention to the Newegg reviews. Newegg doesn't restrict them which is a good thing. But it also gives the vendors a way to 'pump up' their product while dissing others.
     
    Sentrosi, 23 Mar 2007
    #4
  5. Daleon

    Daleon

    I have this suggest this puppy, so nice I am ordering one right now.

    BYTECC HD-201U2 (SILVER) Aluminum 2.5" USB2.0 mini External Enclosure
    $18.99

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145329

    Much slimer, plus no external powersupply needed. Tons of purchases, so its obviously popular item.

    I got a 250g ide drive sitting right now since I got 3 SATA's in the main machine right now and only 1 IDE on my current MB and never run a disk/optical on the same controller.
     
    Daleon, 23 Mar 2007
    #5
  6. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Officer
    He'd have to buy a 2.5" drive though to fit that into, like a notebook drive.
     
    Sentrosi, 23 Mar 2007
    #6
  7. Strygun

    Strygun

    Yeah, I need a 3.5".
     
    Strygun, 23 Mar 2007
    #7
  8. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Officer
    Not a lot of choices when it comes to a smaller 3.5" drive with no power supply.
     
    Sentrosi, 23 Mar 2007
    #8
  9. Daleon

    Daleon

    Daleon, 23 Mar 2007
    #9
  10. Asp

    Asp Administrative Officer Officer

    Officer
    Heh, I've got 3 old hard drives (300g in all) in powered external enclosures, plus and old notebook one (20g) in a USB2 enclosure, which filled up pretty quick, so I picked up one of these:

    WD USB2 pocketdrive

    Mine's the 120 gig one and it's nice an compact, and would work even better than my old one with a laptop.

    You can do regular old firewire, but I thought for sure USB2 was faster than FW was.

    Anyway, not sure where you can find these, but any of the big chains should have them, I got mine from Costco for $100 CDN.
     
    Asp, 23 Mar 2007
    #10
  11. Strygun

    Strygun

    Anyone know of any deals that have HD + Enclosure package deal for nice specials? I'm thinking about doing that, because if I take the HD out of this comp that is currently using it, I'd have to put that same drive back in to use that comp again. It's got all the drivers, etc.
     
    Strygun, 23 Mar 2007
    #11
  12. Daleon

    Daleon

    I think something like that WD Passport that Asp posted is your best choice then.
     
    Daleon, 24 Mar 2007
    #12
  13. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Sentrosi, 24 Mar 2007
    #13
  14. Strygun

    Strygun

    Hmm.. that's not a bad deal. Is the drive removable at all? If I ever built another computer it might be nice to put this inside.

    Also, I subscribed to that newsletter, put the drive in my cart, applied the promo code, and it's not working. The promo code is telling me I must be subscribed to the newsletter. Is there a large delay between subscribing and it knowing that I've subscribed? lol
     
    Last edited: 24 Mar 2007
    Strygun, 24 Mar 2007
    #14
  15. Asp

    Asp Administrative Officer Officer

    Officer
    Ooops, thought you were concerned about it being a powered enclosure.. don't mind me.. :)

    edit: had originally posted something about the smaller 3.5s with power adapters, and then erased it :D Just realized I was creating some confusion there.

    Depending on your needs I would still recommend the WD one, compact, large storage, etc etc.
     
    Last edited: 24 Mar 2007
    Asp, 24 Mar 2007
    #15
  16. Strygun

    Strygun

    Asp - Obviously, the less hassle, the better. I'd prefer to have an unpowered enclosure, but I've realized that it'll be hard to find an unpowered with a fan and a large enough harddrive to make it worth it without roasting it. If they're out there, let me know.
     
    Strygun, 24 Mar 2007
    #16
  17. Strygun

    Strygun

    That WD is a really expensive option, though. I mean, I could potentially save a lot of money going with an external enclosure with a power supply and taking the HD out of my old computer. Heck, I could even buy the 250GB external HD that Sent linked and still save money. Or, for the same price, I could get a 500GB external HD.

    I think that pretty much rules out the WD.
     
    Strygun, 24 Mar 2007
    #17
  18. Sentrosi

    Sentrosi Protocol Officer Officer

    Sentrosi, 25 Mar 2007
    #18
  19. Strygun

    Strygun

    Sentrosi.. that's incredible! There's a $30 rebate on a $39 item? Combine that with a $70 250GB HD... I'm going to have to jump on that one I think. I'll wait until tomorrow.
     
    Last edited: 25 Mar 2007
    Strygun, 25 Mar 2007
    #19
  20. Strygun

    Strygun

    Strygun, 1 Apr 2007
    #20
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