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HD Enclosure Question

G

Gemler

Member
ok i have a question

here is a hd i want to buy

Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3.5" 1TB 7200RPM - 3.5" Desktop - SATA 6.0Gbps - 126MB/s Max. Sustained Speed - 32MB Cache

here is the hd enclosure i want to buy

Startech 3.5IN Black USB 2.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Enclosure

and here is another enclosure
Vantec Nexstar CX 3.5IN SATA to USB 2.0 and eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure
the question is what is the difference between eSATA and SATA enclosure

is it faster? is it going to be compatible on my win xp and my hd thx
 
The first one is USB, the second one is eSATA, they both take SATA drives.

All computer has USB, only some computer has eSATA ports.
 
eSATA is external SATA. It uses a cable to connect to a eSATA port on your PC or laptop. Most prebuilt systems won't come with a eSATA connection. It is much faster than USB2 but USB3 (if you have the ports) would be equally fast.

Both enclosures would work fine if you're just using a USB 2.0 connection to your PC.
 
Elixer said:
Of course, in fact, it is better to do a full format on it, even though it will take a few hours.
Click to expand...

Huh?

I have never, ever in 20 years of doing this done a full format unless it was the only option available. There is no advantage I've ever seen nor any issues I've ever run into.

The only thing it does is scan for bad sectors. If this is somewhat important then by all means.
 
Railgun said:
Huh?

I have never, ever in 20 years of doing this done a full format unless it was the only option available. There is no advantage I've ever seen nor any issues I've ever run into.

The only thing it does is scan for bad sectors. If this is somewhat important then by all means.
Click to expand...

That is always important with a new drive. (Cradle death sucks.)

I suppose how important you think it is depends on how many drives you've personally had fail in the first 6 months of ownership. 😳
 
Railgun said:
Huh?

I have never, ever in 20 years of doing this done a full format unless it was the only option available. There is no advantage I've ever seen nor any issues I've ever run into.

The only thing it does is scan for bad sectors. If this is somewhat important then by all means.
Click to expand...

Scanning for bad sectors is VERY important.

Quick format is fine for your 2nd or 3rd time wiping the drive, but I always do a FULL format the 1st time around.

Not doing so is just assuming the drive has no bad sectors.
 
My experience (naivety) would suggest otherwise, but I'm not suggesting don't. I'm just saying don't bother.
 
You have a computer with Windows installed, correct?

Install drive into external enclosure, plug enclosure into usb port, open Windows explorer and right click on the new drive. Select 'format'.
 
thelastjuju said:
Scanning for bad sectors is VERY important.
Click to expand...
Ding, Ding, Ding!

A faster method (if you're going to use over USB 2.0), would be to format the HD connected to a SATA port on the MB, then after formatting install in the external enclosure
 
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im bumping this thread because im finally going to buy it this week.

i live in vancouver bc i will be buying the enclosure and the hd from these 2 stores

atic.ca and ncix.com.

can u recommend me a good hd (1 or 2 terabyte) and encloure from those 2 stores that is compatible with my usb2 and sata and win xp. thx
 
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can someone please tell me which one to choose. i want to make sure i have the right enclosure and hd thx
 
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Um, toss up, though, I don't like anything startech makes. Way too cheaply made.

If you plan on getting a HD that is >1TB then make sure you get a enclosure that supports that!
 
I would recommend an enclosure with USB 3.0 .. It's much faster than USB 2.0 ..

Even if your existing PC doesn't support USB 3.0 .. The enclosure will most likely survive with you until your next PC .. So better get a fast enclosure ..
 
Yes, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0. If you have a MB that supports USB 2.0, you can still use the USB 3.0 enclosure with it.
 
NexStar TX 2.5" SATA USB 3.0 Enclosure External Enclosure - 2.5" Drive - SATA 6.0Gbps Interface - 12.5mm Max. Drive Height - USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 Connectivity - USB Bus Powered - Aluminum - Black Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty



NexStar CX 2.5" SATA USB 3.0 Enclosure External Enclosure - 2.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - 12.5mm Max. Drive Height - USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 Connectivity - USB Bus Powered - Aluminum - Black Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty

NexStar CX 3.5" SATA USB 2.0 Enclosure External Enclosure - 3.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - USB 2.0 Connectivity - Aluminum - Black Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty

NexStar CX 2.5" SATA USB 2.0 Enclosure
External Enclosure - 2.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - 12.5mm Max. Drive Height - USB 2.0 Connectivity - USB Bus Powered - Aluminum - Black Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty





NexStar CX 3.5" SATA USB 2.0 Enclosure
External Enclosure - 3.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - USB 2.0 Connectivity - Aluminum - Black Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty

Macally 3.5" SATA USB 3.0 Enclosure External Enclosure - 3.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 Connectivity - Plastic - Dark Grey Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg. Warranty

Macally 3.5" SATA USB 3.0 Enclosure External Enclosure - 3.5" Drive - SATA 3.0Gbps Interface - USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 Connectivity - Aluminum - Silver Colour - Windows / OS X Compatible - 1 Year Depot Carry-In Mfg.

so should buy the enclosure with 3.5" or 2.5"? most hds i see are 3.5" so i think i should buy 3.5" right?
 
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