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External USB Drive 1
- Thread starter denice
- Start date
Hi,
I don't know that such kind of cables exist.
I don't recommend you to do that because:
1)USB Interface is much much slower than IDE interface
2)Internal HDs are dissipating heat
3)Internal HDs are making vibration and noise.
4)Power specifications that USB support and IDE HD needs are not met.
5) Internal HDs are sensitive to environmetal changes(moisture, static electic, pulver,etc.)
I don't know that such kind of cables exist.
I don't recommend you to do that because:
1)USB Interface is much much slower than IDE interface
2)Internal HDs are dissipating heat
3)Internal HDs are making vibration and noise.
4)Power specifications that USB support and IDE HD needs are not met.
5) Internal HDs are sensitive to environmetal changes(moisture, static electic, pulver,etc.)
Hi,
Well the enclosures do exist - I had one which I put a CD-RW drive into and then used it from a laptop, it worked fine.
The above point about relative speed is however very important - more so for a harddisk than a CD-RW. I don't know if they exist yet but an enclosure that uses USB2 would work fine. I have an external Firewire drive (similar speed to USB2) which is fast enough to playback full size video.
One other point is what you would use the drive for? If it is to still be your master system disk then make sure that your BIOS has a USB boot option, or you will be in big trouble! Even if you can use it to boot from and your OS is on it you will have problems with speed.If it is only to hold data and third party programs - i.e. not Windows, not Swap file - then you should be alright.
Power supply IS handeled by the enclosure, so no problem.
Harddrive heat is probably a reason to do it - you will lose some heat from inside the case - which is always a good thing.
For me the deciding factor would be the USB type - USB1, don't do it - USB2, ok for a lot of purposes, but not advisable as the OS disk.
Kim Leece.
Well the enclosures do exist - I had one which I put a CD-RW drive into and then used it from a laptop, it worked fine.
The above point about relative speed is however very important - more so for a harddisk than a CD-RW. I don't know if they exist yet but an enclosure that uses USB2 would work fine. I have an external Firewire drive (similar speed to USB2) which is fast enough to playback full size video.
One other point is what you would use the drive for? If it is to still be your master system disk then make sure that your BIOS has a USB boot option, or you will be in big trouble! Even if you can use it to boot from and your OS is on it you will have problems with speed.If it is only to hold data and third party programs - i.e. not Windows, not Swap file - then you should be alright.
Power supply IS handeled by the enclosure, so no problem.
Harddrive heat is probably a reason to do it - you will lose some heat from inside the case - which is always a good thing.
For me the deciding factor would be the USB type - USB1, don't do it - USB2, ok for a lot of purposes, but not advisable as the OS disk.
Kim Leece.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks to you both your points are well taken.
Here is a link to one of the products at compusa THe product is real, and its USB2 / Firewire.
I would be using it as a back up slave. No OS just files that I dont want to loose but people want in their systems more often than not. I want to be able to simply take the HD and plug it into their systems offload the zips, exe's photo albums, instead of burning a CD everytime. This would make the graphics business much easier as well. Files are so large in this industry.
As far as the heat goes, I have seen the image of the inside of units on ebay. Most have dual fans.
With this new information, do you see any reason why I still shouldnt get it.
Thank you in advance for your responces, they are truly appreciated.
D
Denice
Mac OSX, Running Classic for Quark 4.1. System G4.
Here is a link to one of the products at compusa THe product is real, and its USB2 / Firewire.
I would be using it as a back up slave. No OS just files that I dont want to loose but people want in their systems more often than not. I want to be able to simply take the HD and plug it into their systems offload the zips, exe's photo albums, instead of burning a CD everytime. This would make the graphics business much easier as well. Files are so large in this industry.
As far as the heat goes, I have seen the image of the inside of units on ebay. Most have dual fans.
With this new information, do you see any reason why I still shouldnt get it.
Thank you in advance for your responces, they are truly appreciated.
D
Denice
Mac OSX, Running Classic for Quark 4.1. System G4.
There are enclosures for External Hard drives, but I would not make that My Primary Hard Drive or the drive the computer boots from. Some motherboards may support this but not all. To do this your USB support must be active before you load your operating system. I think this might be possible with a Serial ATA Drive.
The BIOS has to support a USB bootable Device in the boot order to insure that this works. You could try it, and it may or may not work. Might be a security risk in some cases. A flash memory card or a PEN Drive may be a better option for portable storage. You can get these over 1 Gig that fit in your front shirt pocket. The drawback is the higher cost.
You could get a USB or a Firewire drive enclosure for these newer 2.5" drives as opposed to a 3.5" drive. They are making some devices that hold the thinner laptop style of 2.5" drives. They are only about one half to one inch thick. They are getting these down to a size that fits in your pocket.
If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.
The BIOS has to support a USB bootable Device in the boot order to insure that this works. You could try it, and it may or may not work. Might be a security risk in some cases. A flash memory card or a PEN Drive may be a better option for portable storage. You can get these over 1 Gig that fit in your front shirt pocket. The drawback is the higher cost.
You could get a USB or a Firewire drive enclosure for these newer 2.5" drives as opposed to a 3.5" drive. They are making some devices that hold the thinner laptop style of 2.5" drives. They are only about one half to one inch thick. They are getting these down to a size that fits in your pocket.
If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.
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1
- #6
hi denice,
i too am in the graphics/video productions industry and know fully well about file sizes when having to go between work & home.
i've been using 3 external enclosures using the usb2 interface for over 6 months now. they each contain 80gb ide drives.
here's a link so u can see what i use:
they all perform perfect in the sense of fast speed, low heat, and ease of use. they each came with its own drivers cd for 98se up to xp and even for mac os 8 and higher and has its own power supply with fan and usb2 & ac cable.
i can playback fullframe dv video from any of them with no problems.
i would definitely encourage you go go ahead and try one, you'll be amazed at how it will make your life easier.
i too am in the graphics/video productions industry and know fully well about file sizes when having to go between work & home.
i've been using 3 external enclosures using the usb2 interface for over 6 months now. they each contain 80gb ide drives.
here's a link so u can see what i use:
they all perform perfect in the sense of fast speed, low heat, and ease of use. they each came with its own drivers cd for 98se up to xp and even for mac os 8 and higher and has its own power supply with fan and usb2 & ac cable.
i can playback fullframe dv video from any of them with no problems.
i would definitely encourage you go go ahead and try one, you'll be amazed at how it will make your life easier.
- Thread starter
- #7
hi denice,
i appreciate your cool sentiments on my post !
i would also say that that enclosure from compusa is a bit overpriced. i mean $144.00 compared to $49 for the ones i use and both r probably made in china. u should consider buying the me-320 instead. all u have to do is get the harddrive and install it in the case and u're good to go!
i appreciate your cool sentiments on my post !
i would also say that that enclosure from compusa is a bit overpriced. i mean $144.00 compared to $49 for the ones i use and both r probably made in china. u should consider buying the me-320 instead. all u have to do is get the harddrive and install it in the case and u're good to go!
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