• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Internal or External Second HD??

C

cohenfive

Senior member
curious what the pluses/minuses are regarding a second hd to store mostly media files. our primary is full and i have a new wd 120gb internal sitting around, but am wondering if i'd be better off with an external of similar size. will access/write times be just as fast with an external as an internal drive?

thanks!
 
Assuming you'd be using a USB2.0 or Firewire external HD enclosure, the access times for an external drive won't be near that of the same drive hooked up internally.

I use a USB2.0 external enclosure and the transfer speeds are plenty fast enough for me consisting of general storage (ie, MP3s, documents, downloads, pictures, etc.). If you're dealing with large files and speed is a issue (like video editing), then you'd probably be better off with an internal drive.

For picture storage, an external drive would be fine, but it would be noticeably slower than an internal HD.
 
i'd be using a usb 2.0 drive if external. i picked up a wd 120gb internal drive last month during the rebate bonanza, i just want to make sure that's the way to go (which it sounds like it is). i'd be using it mostly for storing of pictures and music but video could be a possibility at some point.

i don't know why but i'm just a little hesitant to install the thing...afraid the pc will not like it, even though it looks like all i will need to do is to set the jumper on the new one to slave (i presume the existing hd is set to primary already) and then plug the existing cable and power cord to the new drive. xp should recognize what's going on...

i think i'll back up my data first!!
 
Yeah, you have nothing to worry about if you install the drive internally. Since it's a new drive, there is no partition or logical drive defined.

You'd need to go under Administrative Tools --> Computer Management and setup the new partition(s), format, and you'll be good to go. Shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to easily add 120GB of additional storage. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Yeah, you have nothing to worry about if you install the drive internally. Since it's a new drive, there is no partition or logical drive defined.

You'd need to go under Administrative Tools --> Computer Management and setup the new partition(s), format, and you'll be good to go. Shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to easily add 120GB of additional storage. 🙂
Click to expand...

thanks, hopefully the instructions that came with the drive 'hold my hand' on partitioning/formatting the new drive. i've replaced/upgraded just about every other component in our pc's except for this.

 
I take thousands of digital pictures every year, and have managed to dedicate a 2.5-in 80 GB external drive to them. Theyt are organized by dtate and subject in folders. The external case is either Firewire or USB 2, so it has great portability. It can be easily connected to any of my computers, laptop or desktop for access to images.

Speed has never been a factor - even when off loading 30 or more images at once from a C/F reader. It ain't lightning fast, but it is adequate for the job.

Am now looking at another external 80 GB drive, but SATA. The SATA external enclosure is not quite as portable, but for a home base would be excellent. The speed is not even a consideration. The limiting factor is the media reader's speed - that is the pacing item. Even with a SATA drive, the offload speed is the same as with USB or Firewire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top