External Harddrive

[mns488]

Hi,

I'm looking to get an external hardrive as my PC only has a 40gb drive and is a bit full. Thought about upgrading the PC but its really only used at home for the internet or occassional work stuff and loads of camping photos/movies.

I'm not that computer savy, so just want to know if there is anything i should be aware of?

The way i understand it is buy one that suits your PC (XP & P4) and just connect through USB port - end of story.:angel:

Any recommendations???

[dmdigital]

Best advice is don't get a cheap one. I'd recommend either a Western Digital or Seagate as both have reliable drives in them.

Just remember that like any hard drive they can fail and if things aren't backed up they will be lost. That said if you have a copy on your PC and on the USB drive it makes it safer.

[DiscoStew]

Any reason why it must be external?

You do not usually need to upgrade your PC to install a second internal drive and they are quite easy to install. However I know that is easy to say but if you have never opened a PC before it can be daunting (just like I find taking a spanner to a car daunting).

I would think that most local computer shops would do an install for you for free if you bought the hard drive from them.

But to answer your question, i agree with dm_td5.

[olmate]

I have the two external hard drives. 1 x western digital 120G (pics / family docs etc) and a lacie 'brick' 250G for my music. They both work great and leave the computer free.

External is great as I can just unplug - and take the things elsewhere as required. :D

[dmdigital]

I bought a Western Digital Passpor 250GB a couple of months ago $250. It's dearer 'cause its very portable (pocket sized and powered off laptop USB).

For a non-portable external drive you shouldn't pay more than 50c/GB nowdays.

I prefer WD drives so you won't get any argument from me

[incisor]

wd are okay, but only have 3yr warranty, seagate have 5yr

they do have a higher failure rate than seagate IME, but they are marginally cheaper so you get to figure the rest for your self.

another thing to watch is that wd do a lot of oem drives that only have 1yr warranty so you have to make sure you are getting a retail drive not an oem special order.

both wd and seagate have warranty websites that will tell you what warranty is on your drive if you enter the serial number.

[mns488]

thanks for the advice, got a 320gb seagate with a 5yr warrantly for about 150.

Thanks again.