Opinions/Thoughts on Ext HD setup

[Mikz86TA]

OK. So I wanted to go ahead and get an external HD setup. As I was instructed B4, its wise to get a seperate case and a HD to go in it. That way its easier serviced, I could use more than one HD inside it to use, etc.
I was looking for a good place to buy from and the cheapest possible price. Tho I didnt select the absolutely cheapest parts. I was close and under my budget.
My current Desktop Internal HD is a Seagate 200GB. But with programs, pics, music and other crap , it has become pretty filled up. Like, I have 26GB left or something. Im sure if I dumped the games I dont play, Ill have more room. But I do like to have them readily availible when I want to play.
So I opt to dump my music, vids and maybe pics to the external HD. That way I can also take it with me to freinds houses and swap/add/donate files.

Anyways, I heard NewEgg was a good place. I browsed around and this is in my cart.

iMicro IMBS35E-BK case
Black Aluminum
3.5"
IDE inside
2.0 USB
cable/power/program CD/case/etc included
1yr Warranty
$16.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJB hard drive
160 GB
IDE Ultra ATA100
7200RPM
8MB Cache
3.5"
$47.99

$10.75 3 day UPS shipping
$75.83 TTL

I looked at e-bay but got a headache. Plus I dont buy from HongKong or any other place overseas. And the deals on there are from those sellers. Not happening.

Thoughts or opinions?

[Dogsofjune]

Newegg is an excellent place. I have spent an exorbitant amount there over the last several years. Always top notch.
Looks like you got a decent deal there. Also as another option, because e-sata is hot swapable, you might look at this:
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/thermaltake_blacx_hdd/

[C4Tom]

I got nothing but praise for Newegg as well...
I got a motherboard that was suppose to support my chip, it didn't, they emailed a label to ship it back and sent me another.

I have a WD 80 gig portable drive, USB 2.0 and it's been flawless for me. I have all my MP3's and backup files on it. Good thing too. :) Mine is powered through the USB port but the bigger portable drive cases require a separate power supply.

[Mikz86TA]

OK THX for the input. I may order tomorrow.

[Mikz86TA]

So Ive been putting this off for a while now as you can tell by the thread iddue date. But it became appartent that I could no longer do that. Since Ive sucessfully filled up my current HDD.
I never knew either, that when it says 200GB, that really doesnt mean 200GB.
My current HDD is a SeaGate 200GB Barracuda ATA.
About a year or so old. I checked my computer properties and its used 125 or 127 GB availible. Now I also havent run Disc Cleanup in a month or so either. But thats alot of leeway they gave from the advertised to the actual space isnt it?
Anywho, I want to remove all my pictures, music and vids from it. Put those on the new HDD. That will make some things easier and safer I think. Like having those things only availible when I want them to be, being able to have them portable to another PC for shating with freinds, backup and security purposes.

Im open to suggestions also.
***Like should I run a virus scanner on every single file or folder I transfer when I get the new HDD and Ext case?
***Do I need to format the new HDD or anything?
***After I transfer the files, should I erase all of them induvidually or as an entire folder? Like songs and pics I am going to move over to the new HDD.
***Should I do the Disc Clenup on the current HDD now or after I get all the stuff on the new one?

Anything else you may suggest would be helpful.

Im also going to backup the pics on a DVD and maybe the music too. I had a bunch of random MP3 CDs I had made from a long time ago and that came in handy when my last HDD motor crapped out and I lost my stuff. But those have seen better days by now and I dont have all my music on them either. Ill post up the total idea of how much music I have and pics. Its a bunch!

The New parts are a :

Western Digital Cavair SE WD1600AAJS
160 GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

$43.99

Galaxy MetalGear 3506 Blue
3.5" USB 2.0 SATA External Enclosure

$22.99 - $5.00 instant rebate = $17.99

Total Shipped was $74.30


I kinda wanted a larger HDD, but if I fit all that stuff I have to go on it (music, pics and vids) on my current 200GB drive ........ plus add the Operating Software, 4 Games, Operational Programs, Extras like Lime/Adobe/Converters/Players/Safeguard Programs/Etc .....I think that 160GB (advertised) should do the purpose.
I just hope it all goes smoothly.
Case says its a Plug n Play unit and is HotSwapable.

[Mikz86TA]

Parts came today from NewEgg.
Im stoked!
Ill get pics up later.

[Tuteuk]

So Ive been putting this off for a while now as you can tell by the thread iddue date. But it became appartent that I could no longer do that. Since Ive sucessfully filled up my current HDD.
I never knew either, that when it says 200GB, that really doesnt mean 200GB.
My current HDD is a SeaGate 200GB Barracuda ATA.
About a year or so old. I checked my computer properties and its used 125 or 127 GB availible. Now I also havent run Disc Cleanup in a month or so either. But thats alot of leeway they gave from the advertised to the actual space isnt it?
Anywho, I want to remove all my pictures, music and vids from it. Put those on the new HDD. That will make some things easier and safer I think. Like having those things only availible when I want them to be, being able to have them portable to another PC for shating with freinds, backup and security purposes.


Yes I agree, BUT..since you will be accessing this stuff from USB and not connected to the MOBO anymore, you should expect access times to be a little slower...
And yes I hate that too about how the advertised size is not what it formats out too, ...but it is still a 200 Gig drive....not there fault you gotta format it...LOL, and if you drive is 200 and after you format it it says 127....sounds like the OS does not see the rest of the drive, very common with older systems, most older systems do not see past 120 GB at most...XP with only sp1, does this to some folks they buy a bigger drive and they do not get to use the full size of it cause windows does not see it all..LOL

Im open to suggestions also.
***Like should I run a virus scanner on every single file or folder I transfer when I get the new HDD and Ext case?
***Do I need to format the new HDD or anything?
***After I transfer the files, should I erase all of them induvidually or as an entire folder? Like songs and pics I am going to move over to the new HDD.
***Should I do the Disc Clenup on the current HDD now or after I get all the stuff on the new one?
Yes, run a virus scanner on everything, cause why archive a bug..LOL

Yes you will need to format this new drive., and depending on what OS you are using, Win 98/me is FAT32, XP is NTFS...this will matter..:)

When you MOVE the new files to that drive, nothing will be left behind cause you are moving..not copying..:)

after you got it all shifted, I would...Disc Cleanup, then Defrag...Just to squash the now open spaces you have created...:)


Anything else you may suggest would be helpful.

Im also going to backup the pics on a DVD and maybe the music too. I had a bunch of random MP3 CDs I had made from a long time ago and that came in handy when my last HDD motor crapped out and I lost my stuff. But those have seen better days by now and I dont have all my music on them either. Ill post up the total idea of how much music I have and pics. Its a bunch!

The New parts are a :

Western Digital Cavair SE WD1600AAJS
160 GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

$43.99

Galaxy MetalGear 3506 Blue
3.5" USB 2.0 SATA External Enclosure

$22.99 - $5.00 instant rebate = $17.99

Total Shipped was $74.30


I kinda wanted a larger HDD, but if I fit all that stuff I have to go on it (music, pics and vids) on my current 200GB drive ........ plus add the Operating Software, 4 Games, Operational Programs, Extras like Lime/Adobe/Converters/Players/Safeguard Programs/Etc .....I think that 160GB (advertised) should do the purpose.
I just hope it all goes smoothly.
Case says its a Plug n Play unit and is HotSwapable.
You should always go big or go home as far as storage space is concerned..Yes it might be a bit longer access times with a bigger HD, but the advantage is...you got space...:)

[Mikz86TA]

OK.

I have SP2 for reference.
I have a Windows Home XP.
I only had slow USB's on the PC stock. So what I did was bought a card for it. Its on the bottom of the back of the machine. Its connected to an open slot on the MoBo. It has 3 2.0 Hi Speed USBs and one of those Sata ports I think. ?? Silicon Image ATA controller...does that sound right??
Anyways, I am using the one USB for my Sierra Wireless Internet unit, the other has my Sony Digital Camera connected to it and the last USB and the one SATA is open.
I planned on using the USB left over to connecth this ExtHDD to.

After I plugged it in, powered it up, the lights on the Ext HDD light up. I hear the motor turning. But my PC doesnt auto recognize it. I havent loaded the driver CD that came with it. The manual (which was very breif) siad you didnt ned the driver with XP. I havent had time to go into it farther. I will do so tomorrow. Im going to remove my tower and go shoot out the dust. I do that abot every 2 months and its time o do it again.
From experience, what do I need to do and/or what is my course of actions concerning getting this recognized by my PC everytime I plug it in, getting it formatted, and formatting for the maximum space.

THX

[Tuteuk]

OK.

I have SP2 for reference.
I have a Windows Home XP.
I only had slow USB's on the PC stock. So what I did was bought a card for it. Its on the bottom of the back of the machine. Its connected to an open slot on the MoBo. It has 3 2.0 Hi Speed USBs and one of those Sata ports I think. ?? Silicon Image ATA controller...does that sound right??
yes that sounds right..LOL. But since your MOBO was not stock with 2.0 USB, that card might twitch a bit..make sure it is loaded in your Device Manager, and it has no yellow circles beside it..:) Anyways, I am using the one USB for my Sierra Wireless Internet unit, the other has my Sony Digital Camera connected to it and the last USB and the one SATA is open.
I planned on using the USB left over to connecth this ExtHDD to.

After I plugged it in, powered it up, the lights on the Ext HDD light up. I hear the motor turning. But my PC doesnt auto recognize it. I havent loaded the driver CD that came with it. The manual (which was very breif) siad you didnt ned the driver with XP. I havent had time to go into it farther. I will do so tomorrow. Im going to remove my tower and go shoot out the dust. I do that abot every 2 months and its time o do it again.
From experience, what do I need to do and/or what is my course of actions concerning getting this recognized by my PC everytime I plug it in, getting it formatted, and formatting for the maximum space.

THXok..when you plug it in..does windows make any noise..(device Connected sound)..If not...Leave it plugged in and Cold Boot (shut right down and restart) and see if windows picks it up plugged in...Once it has found it and says that your hardware is ready to use....unplug it..see if windows will see it when you plug it back in..you can use my computer to format it after windows see it, just go to my computer right mouse click on this new drive and pick format..LOL, Remember NTFS, and you should be gooder..:)

Good Luck..:)

[Mikz86TA]

..make sure it is loaded in your Device Manager, and it has no yellow circles beside it..:)

OK. I officially have no idea what that means. Point me in the right direction. PLS

Ill try the plug in and reboot tomorrow.....when Im sober

[C4Tom]

Click Start
Right click on "My Computer"
Left click on "Properties"
Left click on the "Hardware" tab
Left click on "Device Manager"

This will open a list of all 'found' hardware on your computer. If a device faults on load, it will normally have a yellow exclamation point in front of the device name. Normally all branches are collapsed so if you have an error, it will open that branch to show the device.

[Joker2040]

Newegg is an excellent place. I have spent an exorbitant amount there over the last several years. Always top notch.
Looks like you got a decent deal there.

x2

I built my entire system from newegg with the exception of a few goodies that I got elsewhere.

[Mikz86TA]

Yeah. Only weird thing is that the HDD came in the anti-static bag sealed with bubble wrap around it. No box.
The Case came in its original box.
Both were shipped UPS together in a box big enough to accomodate both items in theit original boxes. So maybe they were saving on weight?? Whatever tho.


OK, so I am about to pull my PC and go dust it out.
But after I read yall's info, I gave it a try again. With Dev Mgr open, I turned the ExtHDD on. A pop up in the bottom right bar of windows came up, said 'New Hardware found' and then another said 'New Hardware ready to use'.
Simutaniously there was a + box open in Dev Mgr and there was yellow ?'s next to them. But then those went away.
I expand the UniversalSerialBusControllers part and I see one now that says Mass Storage Device.
I click on that one and it says Location : on Adaptec AUA-5020 PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
Here is that controller. I bought it a few years ago just so I have USB 2.0
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=AUA-5020&cat=CCD
But as I see now, there is a eSATA port which looks to have a much faster tansfer rate.
So heres a question. With my music on the Ext HDD and coming through the USB, will that affect or will I not be able to open my CD/MP3 burning program and burn a disk from the info strored on my ExtHDD????
Since I have an availible eSATA port on the AUA-5020, should I buy a Ext HDD case that has eSATA (do they exist??) and return the USB one??
My same HDD should work tho right if I decide to get the other case??

[C4Tom]

No... that HDD is called an OEM. They come that way because Newegg buys them in a big bulk pack. Slightly cheaper costs.

Your USB should easily be able to transfer data faster than your CD/DVD can burn it. I think USB 2.0 transfers at over 1.5 Gb/sec far above burning needs. I wouldn't worry.

[Mikz86TA]

Ahh OK. Im gglad to hear that.
I usually burn MP3s and CDs at 48x. But my burner has the ability to go to 52x.

So, I got motivated in my cleaning in my office. I disconected everything, removed my PC, took it out and used the compessed air to get all the dust bunnies out, inspected some things, cleaned behind the desk and re-organized my wires.
Holy crap what a cluster fu*k!!
I got Tower, Monitor, Printer, Wireless AirCard, Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, Batt Charger, DigiCam Charger and USB, Cell Charger, Audio Speaker set, and now the Ext HDD. Most all those have power plugs and they also have their respected attachment cables.
So my fans seem louder...I think thats good. No more weight from the dust I guess =)
Now for cleaning round 2 : The A/V room.

[bespurcell]

Glad you got it going. I know where you're coming from.

[Mikz86TA]

I dont have it going. Thats a problem.

OK I need some help.

I installed thins thing, plugged it in. In Device Mgr, I can see it.
Looks like this in Devices by Connection setting of Dev Mgr :
Adaptec AUA-5020 PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
---- USB Mass Storage Device
-------- WDC WD16 00AAJS-65WAA0 USB Device

OK. But I havent figured out how to format the HDD. I do have to initially format it right? Is there one way or more than one way to do that?
I have no clue where I can see the connection, click to open it or use it. Where do I do that??
I can go to MyComputer and I dont see it there. I dont see it under all programs.
Id like there to be a desktop icon or something where I can just click it, access it and roll. Or make it a drive assigned. Like I had my internal HDD as LocalDisc (C).
Please assist...my head is about to explode

[bespurcell]

Wish I could help.

[Mikz86TA]

OK. I was doing some research.
I found some info from one site that was about as appropriate as a guy with touretes in a library.
Then I found this. http://www.macpower.com.tw/files/articles/format.pdf
So I followed the instructions and as of right now the HDD 'working' LED is active. The 'computer management' says its fomatting. I followed the Wizard on the formatting process.
Did NTFS as recomended, there was something with size that I left as default and there was some other options I just picked what seemed logical or defaults.
I assigned it as (G).
I have (A) which is floppy, Local (C) which is my primary HD internal, (D) is DVD player/burner, (E) is CD player/burner and now (G).
Reason I skipped (F), is that when I had that 2nd internal slave drive, it was (F). If I put another one back internal for 'storage', I want to put it af (F) again.

I hope this works.

Another question tho. Can I copy info from one drive to another or will it just transfer? I thought B4 when I had my C drive and F storage drive, that my files copied and were on both until I erased the info on the other one.

[Mikz86TA]

OK. Its finally formatted.
I figured it out as well.
Im starting to trasfer some music folders. Its doing them as copy not transfer. Thats OK with me.

[Tuteuk]

OK. Its finally formatted.
I figured it out as well.
Im starting to trasfer some music folders. Its doing them as copy not transfer. Thats OK with me.

if you right mouse button and drag, it will give you the option to move or copy...LOL

And it will always copy from on drive to another...LOL (Default)..:)

Good to see you got it working..:)

[C4Tom]

Mik... sorry I didn't catch your post. Somehow this thread didn't show up as having new posts... odd... this is a section I always check for new posts too. :(

My portable drive shows up in removable drives on my laptop but shows up as another drive on my desktop. Doesn't matter... either way it works perfectly. I'm not sure about the rates at 48x but I'm sure that burn rates are in the megabits/sec range and bus rates are in the gigabit/sec ranges. And, as long as you have plenty of RAM to buffer on I see no problems. Another thing... does your CD burner have burn-proof technolgy? Most newer burners do... it would nornally handle any slower transfer rates anyway.

[Mikz86TA]

if you right mouse button and drag, it will give you the option to move or copy...LOL

And it will always copy from on drive to another...LOL (Default)..:)

Good to see you got it working..:)

Ahh OK. See, I learned something new.
I like it copying for now. Ill go back and erase what I dont need and then do a disc dfreag/cleanup.

So far I just transfered my music. I have 20GB of music. Trensfers went faster than I anticipated. Big folders like my Classic Rock which has groups sub folders and alot of music in general still only took like a minute topps.

[Mikz86TA]

Mik... sorry I didn't catch your post. Somehow this thread didn't show up as having new posts... odd... this is a section I always check for new posts too. :(

My portable drive shows up in removable drives on my laptop but shows up as another drive on my desktop. Doesn't matter... either way it works perfectly. I'm not sure about the rates at 48x but I'm sure that burn rates are in the megabits/sec range and bus rates are in the gigabit/sec ranges. And, as long as you have plenty of RAM to buffer on I see no problems. Another thing... does your CD burner have burn-proof technolgy? Most newer burners do... it would nornally handle any slower transfer rates anyway.

Thats cool Tom. I forgive you this one time:D

My new drive shows up nest to my Local Drive (C).
If I turn it on with MyComputer open, I see it pop up, scan the info and ask to play, autoplay, open folders, etc.

I have a 52x burner ut I can adjust it down. I find it best at 48x even tho it takes a bit longer.
RAM I am topped out on for this machine. I have 2 slots and they are filed with 512's. Which is the max for each slot.
IDK about the burn-proof. Its a TDK CDRW 5201B. Its about 4 years old now. Its not the original one.

[C4Tom]

You should be fine then. That was a good drive... I've recently went to Sony DVD drives but always had TDK CD drives before.