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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 17:54:39

Title: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 17:54:39
am looking for a caddy so I can fit in a HD that I already have. The drive is from an existing external Maxtor drive that the on/off switch no longer works so was hoping to move the drive to a new caddy if possible.

Its an IDE drive i believe


just read that over and it looks bad, I dont mean a freebie I meant places to buy  ;D
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Simon on Apr 24, 2009, 18:09:55
Is this the sort of thing you're looking for, Baz?

http://ebuyer.com/search?q=drive+caddy&x=0&y=0
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 18:11:27
no Simon, sorry should have explained better. I still want to keep it as an external drive as its for my daughters laptop
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:19:43
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125132

if it's a 2.5" or less, Baz.

More choices here:

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=hard+drive+caddy&x=0&y=0
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 18:29:48
thanks for the links will take a look

its one of these (http://www.ciao.co.uk/Maxtor_OneTouch_III_USB_2_0_320_GB__6638915)

you're determined to get me back to Ebuyer Rik arent you  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:31:33
Not really, Baz, they were just easier to search. I could try Misco and Scan if you like. :)
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 18:32:59
I'll look any where but ebuyer are not my faves at the moment. Never actually looked much at Scan, what they like
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:34:27
I like Scan, this machine came from them, built to my spec. They don't sell you things you don't need and give sound advice.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:38:19
Try this for Scan:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-19-508-0

and this for Misco:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2887&
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 18:56:07
anyone used one of these (https://secure.cdlmicro.co.uk/html/show_product.php/pid/464) or heard things about them

would this be suitable for what I need. Have also seen some that are advertised as SATA combo or similar wording. does that mean it can take IDE types too
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:57:09
No, but it looks fine on paper, Baz.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 24, 2009, 19:00:09
Quote from: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 18:19:43
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125132

I've used this one and it's decent.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 24, 2009, 19:00:33
Quote from: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 18:56:07
anyone used one of these (https://secure.cdlmicro.co.uk/html/show_product.php/pid/464) or heard things about them

would this be suitable for what I need. Have also seen some that are advertised as SATA combo or similar wording. does that mean it can take IDE types too

I haven't, but Icy Box is supposed to be good, from what I've read.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 24, 2009, 19:00:36
sorry Rik...bit of a modification to my post in between postings.  ;D
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 24, 2009, 19:05:34
Well, the one you're linking is an IDE caddy, ie old style HD. If you want SATA you need to look carefully for the wording, Baz.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: D-Dan on Apr 25, 2009, 00:45:51
Don't turn up at Scan expecting a faster service though. Last time I went I was there two hours, and I'd pre-ordered.

If you are up for a personal visit, Aria sell most stuff at good prices and have a better counter service.

Steve
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: kinmel on Apr 25, 2009, 09:07:40
My local computer shop sells both Sata and IDE empty HDD Enclosures for £18, no doubt yours does too.

Maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=45440) wants £29.99 for the same thing
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: cavillas on Apr 25, 2009, 09:26:38
Check out this one http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=Enclosures&nav=3  Bigpockets are quite reasonable :thumb:
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 26, 2009, 21:36:46
thanks some good links there.looking at Scan at the moment. As a follow up to this what is the standard HD size 2.5 or 3.5.Also if I want to get a new HD what make would you recommend Ive never had any trouble with Western Digital but what are others like

thanks
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: kinmel on Apr 26, 2009, 22:53:55
3.5 is a standard desktop HD, the 2.5 is for laptops. 

I too like WD disks
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2009, 09:00:48
Samsung are worth a look, Baz.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 14:51:30
Thanks  :thumb:
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 27, 2009, 18:55:56
I agree with Rik. Seagates and Western Digital drives have been problematic of late, and that doesn't leave an awful lot of options.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 19:21:11
will take a look. never heard much of Samsung drives  :dunno:
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2009, 19:24:45
I have one as my system drive and one as my apps drive, Baz, with two 750GB Seagates for data and backup.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 19:27:37
out of interest do you know the model Rik.

If I was to get an external one for use mainly on one of the laptops would I benefit with a SATA or not
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 27, 2009, 19:28:38
It depends how vital fast transfer is. If you get SATA, you've got the option of connecting via eSATA.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2009, 19:28:49
Not a lot, Baz, the bottleneck is the USB connection. If, otoh, your motherboard supports e-SATA that's the way to go for now. (USB3 will move the goalposts again...)
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 19:39:30
good point Sebby. its not that vital will only be used for back up of my sons music/photos from his laptop.

Rik, does the mobo have to support SATA to use one of these drives. e sata been external is that right but USB3 willpush this out will it.what does an e sata connection look like. Dont think his laptop will have one.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 27, 2009, 19:41:37
Yes it would, Baz. If your motherboard has SATA, you can get a plate that you fit in the computer case that connects to an free SATA port on the motherboard, and gives you an eSATA connector on the back of the case.

To be honest, it's quite difficult to find IDE hard drives these days, so you'll probably get an SATA anyway.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 19:43:49
cheers Sebby. its going to be used on a laptop mainly anyway so think I should just stick to IDE for what hes going to be using it for too
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 27, 2009, 19:53:38
if you buy an internal drive and stick it in a caddy do you get the cables with the drive or not
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 27, 2009, 19:54:30
Not with the drive, normally, Baz, possibly with the caddy, but in all probability you'll need to buy the correct cable.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 28, 2009, 13:03:28
You'll definitely get a power cable with the caddy, but only possibly an eSATA/USB/Firewire. The caddy has fixed internal wires to connect the drive.
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Baz on Apr 28, 2009, 20:28:04
whats this like drive (http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=290757&CatId=0) I have a 500GB version and its good. The price seems ok or doesnt it, I dont know really.Any one use Misco before
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Sebby on Apr 28, 2009, 21:58:28
I have the Home version, Baz, and I'm really pleased with it. Rik swears by Misco, so you can't go wrong with them.

Have a look at the comparison of WD MyBook drives as you might find you could go with a lesser model.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=8
Title: Re: external HD
Post by: Rik on Apr 29, 2009, 00:03:30
I've used Misco since the 80s, Baz. They're not always the cheapest and you pay for delivery, but service is excellent.