external hd

[viper6497]

Anyone know if a external hard drive is as reliable as a internal hard drive?

 

[harrkev]

In general, yes.

I got a $30 enclosure and mounted a parallel IDE 160GB Western Digital inside. So is an internal hard drive as reliable as an internal hard drive

So, the answer is a resounding YES, as long as the enclosure can keep the hard drive cool enough. Mounting a 10,000 RPM drive in an enclosure might not be a good idea.

If you assemble your own, then you can control the quality of the hard drive inside. If you buy one pre-made, just stick to good name brands.

 

[viper6497]

Thanks

 

[Jeff7]

Only thing is, an external hard drive will be subject to more impacts and jostling than an internal drive, so it might not last quite as long.

 

[Kenazo]

go with firewire not USB 2.0.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
go with firewire not USB 2.0.

considering just about EVERY computer in the world uses USB 1.1, and most any new one uses 2.0, firefire isn't exactly the best solution at all.

 

[Kenazo]

depends what he wants to do with it, I suppose. I've found USB2.0 to be much slower.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

if you use a cheap enclosure with a cheap chipset and a cheap USB cable, then, yes, USB will be much slower when compared

while firewire is still faster,its usually not noticable. maybe an extra meg, maybe two depending on the usage and setup.

personally i use my drive all the time to help fix computer problems or truck files around to friends. if my drive wasn't USB i certainly wouldn't have the ability.

heres an idea. get one with both interfaces

 

[Kenazo]

What a compromise. I bet if you plugged in both, it would be lightening fast!