Adding firewire and/or USB 2.0 to computers

[rw120555]

I have fairly new, and powerful, Dell computers (an Optiplex desktop and a Latitude Laptop), both of them running WinXp. But, neither has either firewire or usb 2.0 capability. I'm thinking I want to add an external HD to the laptop (which I might also sometimes hook up to the desktop to copy files back and forth on). So, any recommendations on best cards and HDs for this purpose?

I see Adaptec has a PCI card with both usb 2.0 and firewire ports, so that seems pretty tempting for the desktop, at least if it works well. I have some pretty monstrous data files, so speed and size are matters of concern for the HD -- I'd want at least 60GB, probably 80GB or more. Thanks for any tips. RW

 

[Mday]

i went usb2.0 myself.

I took the opportunity to grab some items compusa had on sale =).

I bought a usb2.0 PCI card (just so happens to be adaptec), HDD, and cdrw. Then a usb2.0 controller for the laptop.

if all you are going to do is transfer files, use a network.

For usb2.0, most cards are based on the NEC chip which is great. (2x1.1 controller, 1x2.0 controller) For firewire, I would recommend the TI chip.

Most external HDDs are just 3.5" (regular desktop HDDs) inside a case. I would suggest a smaller form factor, since some are quite large. those use 2.5" HDDs inside a case. especially since you are using this on a laptop. if you dont care about size, you can grab an enclosure, and a separate HDD which is cheaper as you increase in capacity.

You cant go wrong with adaptec. They have good driver support. But there are some cheaper solutions. Orange Micro also has a usb2.0+firewire card. OM was the first one to even have a firewire+usb card (they have a 1.1+firewire card too). I would recommend either one.

usb2.0 comment
-cabling: you can use 1.1 cabling it works fine.
-hubs: you can use 1.1 hubs, but they will only work at 1.1 speeds.

It's a nice time to go usb2.0 since controller prices have come down.

 

[rw120555]

Thanks much Mday. Can you elaborate on "if you dont care about size, you can grab an enclosure, and a separate HDD which is cheaper as you increase in capacity." Does that mean there is some sort of USB 2.0 device I can buy in which I stick an HD, and then connect it to my computer via USB? If so, who makes such devices, and what do they cost? Do the HDs work as fast when you do that? This could be sort of tempting.

Also, I've seen USB 2.0 cables for sale; it sounds like you are saying they aren't any different from my current usb cables? If so, that could save me a little money too. RW

 

[Eug]

For most stuff USB 2 is fine. However, for external 7200 rpm hard drives, Firewire with an Oxford 911 chipset enclosure will be nearly twice as fast as current USB 2 enclosures.

 

[corkyg]

I'm with Eug. I have both 1394 and USB 2 active. I use the 1394 for an external data drive. USB 2 feeds my Epson 2450 photo scanner and a CD/RW unit as well as my legacy USB 1.1 devices. I find Firewire a bit more user friendly, and also it will "read" my old legacy SyQuest external drives through a 1394/SCSI converter. That is useful on occasion.