aClockwork
i bought a simpletech/pininfarina 160gb external hard drive today, and I want to know if I can make it my main hard drive, as apposed to using it for back up. does anyone know how?
Answer
While it is possible that you could go into the BIOS and select the system to boot from your external drive, I would not suggest that you do so. If the drive is not hooked DIRECTLY to your motherboard, then XP allows the drive designation to "float." (For lack of a better word.) Thus, if you hook up your external drive and XP tells you it is "M," then you tell the BIOS to boot from M. However, somehow the external drive is disconnected and then reattached, it may be assigned as "Q." Even attaching a flash drive may disrupt the assignment of the drives.
I don't suggest you do this. It is a lot of trouble and is unstable. Also, the connection is slowed through the USB port. (Not as fast as a direct connection through SATA.) If you need a new hard drive, I suggest that you purchase an internal hard drive of the correct configuration (SATA vs. PATA/ATA) and correct size. The faster (at least 7200rpm) the better. It is very easy to install an internal hard drive. Good luck!
While it is possible that you could go into the BIOS and select the system to boot from your external drive, I would not suggest that you do so. If the drive is not hooked DIRECTLY to your motherboard, then XP allows the drive designation to "float." (For lack of a better word.) Thus, if you hook up your external drive and XP tells you it is "M," then you tell the BIOS to boot from M. However, somehow the external drive is disconnected and then reattached, it may be assigned as "Q." Even attaching a flash drive may disrupt the assignment of the drives.
I don't suggest you do this. It is a lot of trouble and is unstable. Also, the connection is slowed through the USB port. (Not as fast as a direct connection through SATA.) If you need a new hard drive, I suggest that you purchase an internal hard drive of the correct configuration (SATA vs. PATA/ATA) and correct size. The faster (at least 7200rpm) the better. It is very easy to install an internal hard drive. Good luck!
How does an external hard drive work?
Dobber
So not exactly sure how they work and wanted some information before I make a purchase. I have alot of files and information I'd like to back up. Well over the amount a flash drive can hold. Does a external hard drive basicly fuction as a flash drive on steriods? Just looking for something that I can store alot of files on and is portable.
Answer
Most external hard drives, when plugged in via USB, appear as âUSB Mass Storage Devicesâ â exactly the same as flash drives. Just be aware that hard drives are more sensitive to drops and shocks than flash drives, so they must be handled with care.
However, you may want to look into an eSATA drive instead. They also function largely like a flash drive, but they can transfer data just as fast as an internal drive (for about $15 more than a USB drive). If you donât have an eSATA port already, you can buy a cheap bracket that connects to an internal SATA port and then provides an eSATA port on the back of your computer (some drives/enclosures even come with these). Just make sure that your motherboard supports hot-plug SATA (as most modern boards do), or else youâll have to reboot to recognize the drive whenever you plug it in.
Also, a tip: Unless youâre interested in the (usually useless) backup software that comes with ready-built external drives, you may be better off buying a hard drive and enclosure separately. Manufacturers usually use up their last-gen drives by putting them in external enclosuresâ¦
Just decide whether you want a smaller (in both physical size and capacity), slower 2.5" drive or a standard 3.5" drive, then get a matching drive and enclosure from the likes of Amazon or Newegg. For a 2.5" drive, you might go with a WD Scorpio Blue 500GB for about $55. For a 3.5" drive, you could go with any number of models around 1-2TB, but note that 7200RPM drives usually need an enclosure with a fan, whereas an aluminum enclosure will act as a heat-sink and be able to passively cool a 5400RPM drive. Beyond that, I canât give much advice on picking an enclosure.
Most external hard drives, when plugged in via USB, appear as âUSB Mass Storage Devicesâ â exactly the same as flash drives. Just be aware that hard drives are more sensitive to drops and shocks than flash drives, so they must be handled with care.
However, you may want to look into an eSATA drive instead. They also function largely like a flash drive, but they can transfer data just as fast as an internal drive (for about $15 more than a USB drive). If you donât have an eSATA port already, you can buy a cheap bracket that connects to an internal SATA port and then provides an eSATA port on the back of your computer (some drives/enclosures even come with these). Just make sure that your motherboard supports hot-plug SATA (as most modern boards do), or else youâll have to reboot to recognize the drive whenever you plug it in.
Also, a tip: Unless youâre interested in the (usually useless) backup software that comes with ready-built external drives, you may be better off buying a hard drive and enclosure separately. Manufacturers usually use up their last-gen drives by putting them in external enclosuresâ¦
Just decide whether you want a smaller (in both physical size and capacity), slower 2.5" drive or a standard 3.5" drive, then get a matching drive and enclosure from the likes of Amazon or Newegg. For a 2.5" drive, you might go with a WD Scorpio Blue 500GB for about $55. For a 3.5" drive, you could go with any number of models around 1-2TB, but note that 7200RPM drives usually need an enclosure with a fan, whereas an aluminum enclosure will act as a heat-sink and be able to passively cool a 5400RPM drive. Beyond that, I canât give much advice on picking an enclosure.
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