Thoughts on external hard drives

[grannywin]

I think I finally reached the maximum capacity on my hard drive thanks to all the goodies found on this forum. I would like to buy an external drive to use with my laptop. Since several people on this forum are using external hard drives, what features would you recommend? What brands? Can the SBM program also be installed on the External drive?

[mh51]

I too would be interested in seeing replies to this one. Have been thinking about it also.

Can it be used to 'back-up' files???

[srussell]

Well, I've been a big Iomega fan for a long time... There products are solid, reasonable priced and reliable.

I have one of the ION 80GB drives that I use for backups and never had a problem with it. It's great for transferring files back and forth from my desktop and laptop.

http://www.iomega.com/direct/products/family.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=26891277&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=26890319

Also, I believe Desmond mentioned that SBM should only be installed to your system drive and not a removable drive...

[*eng*]

Well, I've been a big Iomega fan for a long time... There products are solid, reasonable priced and reliable.

I have one of the ION 80GB drives that I use for backups and never had a problem with it. It's great for transferring files back and forth from my desktop and laptop.

http://www.iomega.com/direct/products/family.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=26891277&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=26890319

Also, I believe Desmond mentioned that SBM should only be installed to your system drive and not a removable drive...

Did he Steve? Just the programme do you mean?

[srussell]

Did he Steve? Just the programme do you mean?

Yes, just the program

[Marion]

I have the program on my harddrive and all the extras on a 300 gig external drive. Mine pop right into my computer or hook up with a usb cable. I have 2 hp harddrives and also a small 40 gig firelite, the size of a wallet.

[Nancy72]

I just bought a 160GB Seagate...not portable...but i'm going to do some investigating online before I open the package...it was on sale for less than an 80GB portable which is what I have...got two on sale for a great price once...only one now because of the one i zapped...;o(

I'll post if i can find customer reviews.

[Nancy72]

Searched customer reviews and Consumer Reports online mag...opening box...;o) Consumer reports suggested at least a 300GB drive but since i have the other 80GB and a very small 30GB...I'm sure i'll be okay with the 160 for now.

[*eng*]

I have a 300 and a 100. I like my 100 as its so light and small and I can put it in my handbag if I want to hook up elsewhere. The 300 is heavy and tends to stay where it is!

[*eng*]

Yes, just the program

Thanks Steve.

I agree about the transfer of files from pc to lappy and vice versa. One of the best accessories you can get.

[mint]

I have a big 300 mg Maxtor and love it keep all the pages i finished on it and have a photo file on it and a kit file on it its so handy and i use it just like my computer its just another drive . my son has a 500mg i love he better watch out or i may have 2 on here ha ha.

[srussell]

I also have a couple of those Maxtor 300GB external drives that I bought for a music project a while back, but I'm using them for video storage right now.

Those are also great drives... They hold about 70 DVD's worth of data and are very reliable.

I still like to back all my scrapbook materials and the program folders onto a couple of DVD's every couple of months. You never know what'll happen next!

[Wickel]

I have the program on my harddrive and all the extras on a 300 gig external drive. Mine pop right into my computer or hook up with a usb cable. I have 2 hp harddrives and also a small 40 gig firelite, the size of a wallet.

Marion
I have an extra hp harddrive that I would love to use for backup. How did you connect yours ? The harddrive has nothing on it. The main cord that goes from puter to electrical outlet has been damaged. I think I may have to order new part. What will I need to connect harddrive to harddrive ?
Thanks :)

[mh51]

I have a 300 and a 100. I like my 100 as its so light and small and I can put it in my handbag if I want to hook up elsewhere. The 300 is heavy and tends to stay where it is!


The 100 (Gb???) ~~ is it USB & simply plugs into your pc/laptop????
I'm seriously thinking of getting one..... any advice on UK prices would be appreciated.

[Marion]

Marion
I have an extra hp harddrive that I would love to use for backup. How did you connect yours ? The harddrive has nothing on it. The main cord that goes from puter to electrical outlet has been damaged. I think I may have to order new part. What will I need to connect harddrive to harddrive ?
Thanks :)

You can probably hook it up with a USB cable. I am not sure what you mean by connecting harddrive to harddrive. This one would show up as a extra harddrive with it's own letter. But yes, you may have to get a new power supply for it. Check with HP and see if you can get those as replacement parts.

[Nancy72]

Searched customer reviews and Consumer Reports online mag...opening box...;o) Consumer reports suggested at least a 300GB drive but since I have the other 80GB and a very small 30GB...I'm sure I'll be okay with the 160 for now.

Things are working out just fine. Very easy to set up...after my fiasco with the one I zapped I'm reading instructions carefully and slowly...LOL I am going to use the non-portable HD to back up my PC...having it attached all the time makes it easy to remember...;o) I can actually spare a sticky note paper or two!

I am copying all my ZIP files to disk...used to do that before I had the portable HD. Any portables will be used to store graphics...one for non-commercial and one for those I can use on my commercial site.

Now all this sounds so well planned to me and I am feeling so clever...YEAH!!!...just the way I felt before I lost all those graphics and the HD because i'm a Space Cadet!!!
:rolleyes:

[Nancy72]

I forgot to ask.....has anyone info for me about this..........

I have more than enough GB left on my new HD to store some video I have on my PC now...but whenever I try to copy it to the HD I get a window that says there is not enough room...?????

[*eng*]

The 100 (Gb???) ~~ is it USB & simply plugs into your pc/laptop????
I'm seriously thinking of getting one..... any advice on UK prices would be appreciated.


The larger hard drives are cheaper in comparison. I guess because you can carry the 100 gb around more easily. I got mine from Costco for about £80. My 300 gb Maxtor was about £120. That was a while ago so maybe cheaper now. Hope that helps Mary. :)

[*eng*]

Oh and yes they are both usb Mary :)

[mh51]

The larger hard drives are cheaper in comparison. I guess because you can carry the 100 gb around more easily. I got mine from Costco for about £80. My 300 gb Maxtor was about £120. That was a while ago so maybe cheaper now. Hope that helps Mary. :)

Many thanks eng. Will have a look around now.

[grannywin]

Thanks again for all the valuable information. I have zeroed in on several brands I would like to buy thanks to your information. All I need is some money! I solved my immediate need by putting ALL my scrap papers on a flash drive and that freed a lot of space on the hard drive.

[*eng*]

Thanks again for all the valuable information. I have zeroed in on several brands I would like to buy thanks to your information. All I need is some money! I solved my immediate need by putting ALL my scrap papers on a flash drive and that freed a lot of space on the hard drive.

Good Luck Mary......there is so much to choose from !