Looking for cheap External Hard Drive

glicky

Nothing too flash, just something to keep films/movies/tennis matches on.

I have no idea about size though i.e. GB's.:rolleyes: I havewn't even got a clue how much 20gb holds etc.

Can anyone help me please?

Gib_Gib

I find that when recording the tv with my pc, 1 hour is about 1.5-2gb.
If I convert a dvd to divx I can run about 2hours for 1gb.

Basically buy as big as you can, start thinking 80gb as an absolute minimum.

If you are feeling practical, the best way to do this is to buy an internal hard drive and put it in an external caddy. This will normally save you a lot of money, plus you will normally get a 3year guarantee.

It normally only needs 4 screws and to plug in 2 wires, it is very simple.

MercilessKiller

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=48ht

That is a VERY good offer and I would advise you go for that 500gb will do you for backup/movies/other large data....

For external hard drives around £80 they'd prob only be around 250gb so double capacity for an extra 25%.. good value to me!

Jo4

I am also looking for an external hard drive, well 2 in fact. When you are purchasing an external hard drive what are you supposed to look out for? What is good and what is bad? What is the minimum that should be purchased?

Omertron

Jo4 wrote:

I am also looking for an external hard drive, well 2 in fact. When you are purchasing an external hard drive what are you supposed to look out for? What is good and what is bad? What is the minimum that should be purchased?

First look for how you are going to connect it to your computer. Usually USB is a safe bet as most modern (less than 3 years old) will have USB. Next work out if you have USB2 as this will mean a much faster connection between the external drive and your PC. Some external drives only come with USB1.1 which will make transferring files quite painful.

Other than that, your options are Firewire (either 800 or 400) or eSATA (external SATA - you're unlikely to have this option unless you have a high spec PC)

If you need two, I would inferr that you need portability, so I'd look for a drive with USB (which most of them should have).

Omertron

twist3d wrote:

Saw this earlier today on a different forum.

It a hidden code meant for forum members on the dvd forum.

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?lang=&product_id=14657

Looks like a good deal and i can vouch for the company as i have dealt with them alot. :money:

The curse of MSE:

BigPockets wrote:

SORRY SOLD OUT
Please enter your email address if you would
like to be informed when this product is back in stock

Norman-B

Omertron wrote:

First look for how you are going to connect it to your computer. Usually USB is a safe bet as most modern (less than 3 years old) will have USB. Next work out if you have USB2 as this will mean a much faster connection between the external drive and your PC. Some external drives only come with USB1.1 which will make transferring files quite painful.

Other than that, your options are Firewire (either 800 or 400) or eSATA (external SATA - you're unlikely to have this option unless you have a high spec PC)

If you need two, I would inferr that you need portability, so I'd look for a drive with USB (which most of them should have).

Err, excuse the question but how do I tell if I have USB2?

Norman-B

Norman-B wrote:

Err, excuse the question but how do I tell if I have USB2?

Bump, anyone?

Chippy_Minton

Norman-B wrote:

Err, excuse the question but how do I tell if I have USB2?

Right-click My Computer and click Manage. In Computer Management window, click Device Manager, then click plus (+) sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

If Enhanced Host Controller or USB2 is listed, then the computer has USB 2.0 ports.

To be certain, check the specs of your computer.

glicky

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Right-click My Computer and click Manage. In Computer Management window, click Device Manager, then click plus (+) sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

If Enhanced Host Controller or USB2 is listed, then the computer has USB 2.0 ports.

To be certain, check the specs of your computer.

I have a Toshiba Satellite A60 and after doing what you stated above, it comes up with Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller. I presume that means I don't have a USB 2.0 port?

glicky

twist3d wrote:

Saw this earlier today on a different forum.

It a hidden code meant for forum members on the dvd forum.

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?lang=&product_id=14657

Looks like a good deal and i can vouch for the company as i have dealt with them alot. :money:

I presume that as I don't have a USB 2.0 port, I can't get this one then? Shame ... it looked a good deal :rolleyes: