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External HD questions

G

GFBeach

Member
I've been considering buying an external hard drive, but I've got a few questions. They're probably simple, but I want to be absolutely sure before I put down money for these things.

1) How reliable are these aftermarket enclosures you can buy? I know it's cheaper to buy an internal IDE drive and put it in an enclosure than to buy a stock external drive, but are they as reliable as a stock external drive?

2) How swappable are external hard drives? For example, I would like to install the drivers for this on two or three computers, then move the external drive between them as the situation requires. Would this be possible, and if so, reliable? Does an aftermarket enclosure make a difference with this? Reliability is they keyword here. ^_^

3) Any general shopping tips I need to look out for (ie: brands to avoid, features to look for)? In terms of <i>where</I> to buy it, I'd probably order from Newegg.

Thanks for your help!
 
1. Just as reliable

2. very swappable

3. if you are looking for firewire drives, buy one with the oxford chip, heard its better 😛
 
I bought a usb2.0 /firewire (with oxford) external 3.5/5.25 external closure for a 60GB maxtor and it works flawlessly. Cost me like $55 or so shipped at the time. Other then the fan being on the loud side, it is fine and MUCH cheaper then a comperable ready to go external HD.
 
Hmm, okay. One last question: How easy is it to set up an internal hard drive with an external enclosure? I'm not talking about physically putting the thing in there, I'm asking about setting it up within Windows. I've heard some people say that setting up the drivers with an enclosure is as easy as setting up a readymade USB hard drive, then I've heard some people say I'll run into pretty big trouble if I ever have to format/partition the external enclosed drive (I don't plan on splitting it into multiple partitions, BTW).
 
it is NO prob bro. WHat OS u on? 2k or XP, just go to admin tools, computer management, storage, disk management snap in and create your partitions, format, do whatever. Drivers are a joke, NOt sure if I even needed the USB 2 drivers when I hooked it up to my XP, I believe I needed something for Firewire when I tried it, but I dont remember.
Easier then hooking up a scanner, don't sweat it.
 
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