External Hard Drive

LondonCanuck

Can anyone recommend a good external hard drive?

So if I move my data onto the external HD, it's only data - right? And if so, if I want to use the data on another pc, I need to make sure that the relevant programmes are on the other pc too... right?

Am not too familiar with external HDs so any help's appreciated!

Blacksheep1979

most of them are just plug and play ie you plug it into any windows xp computer and it recognises it and you just have another hard drive listed such as f: as well.

I've had a couple of maxtor external drives for several years now with no problems from them - would highly reccomend them.

ZZRKarlos

LondonCanuck wrote:

So if I move my data onto the external HD, it's only data - right? And if so, if I want to use the data on another pc, I need to make sure that the relevant programmes are on the other pc too... right?

Yep you are correct, so if you put some Powerpoint files on this ext hard drive then you would need Powerpoint on which ever pc you connect the drive to, to be able to open and edit these files.

Cant recommend any one type of ext hd, but they are very cheap nowadays. Look for one with USB2 and firewire, so you have a choice of 2 fast connections.

Chippy_Minton

Search the forums - several threads already:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=250439

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=252007

LondonCanuck

ZZRKarlos wrote:

Look for one with USB2 and firewire, so you have a choice of 2 fast connections.

I don't know what a firewire is.

My laptop's a bit old and doesn't have a fast USB port... does that matter?

I want to get my data all in one place and be able to access from either the lappy or pc... especially since I'm looking at maybe getting a new computer anyway.

Lord_Gardener

Here's some reviews to help with your selection!

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123728;page,1/article.html

Chippy_Minton

LondonCanuck wrote:

I don't know what a firewire is.

My laptop's a bit old and doesn't have a fast USB port... does that matter?

Firewire (or 1394) is a serial interface like USB, more common in digital camcorders etc.

As long as it has a USB port the drive can connect, but will transfer data at the USB 1.0 speed of 12 Mbit/s, compared with 480 Mbit/s for USB2.

GibsonSt19

500gb of storage - How's this for £142 delivered?

LondonCanuck

GibsonSt19 wrote:

500gb of storage - How's this for £142 delivered?

Do you or anyone else have a LaCie HD? I've never heard of them. I don't know much about these types of things but would like to know that I'm getting a reputable product! It's only worth the bargain price if it's good and reliable!!

misskool

I have a Lacie USB hard drive. It works well, a bit noisy when starting up but well built and well designed.

I'm looking to buy a Firewire drive now because USB drives require an external power source,