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Author Topic: External enclosure advice needed  (Read 9675 times)

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WillyW

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External enclosure advice needed
« on: November 25, 2009, 01:23:02 PM »
Considering an external USB enclosure.
Looking around www.newegg.com

This will be for use with plain old IDE hard drive(s).     Desktop - 3.5 inch.

They start at $15.

Anything in particular that you can say,  as to how to go about choosing one?

For example - is there a brand name or model that you'd recommend?
or... recommend to avoid?

Thanks
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WillyW

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Computer_Commando



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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2009, 05:54:34 PM »
It must have AC adapter.
Aluminum case might be good, it's going to get hot in there.
I'm not a big fan of the external 3.5's, too much power, too much heat.

WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2009, 06:10:33 PM »
It must have AC adapter.

In other words,  don't get one that pulls its power through the USB port?

I thought about that, and had come to that conclusion.
Thanks for commenting, and confirming.

Quote
Aluminum case might be good, it's going to get hot in there.

Meaning that the case acts as a heat sink? ....  ok.

Never had one of these -    are some cases NOT aluminum?     perhaps plastic??

Quote
I'm not a big fan of the external 3.5's, too much power, too much heat.

I've noticed some descriptions mentioning a fan.
Would it be recommended to get one with a fan?


Thanks
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Computer_Commando



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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2009, 06:23:49 PM »
You've got it right on all counts.  Fan's gonna be noisy.
Does it really need to be IDE?  Just trying to find a home for an old hard drive?
If no and no, then consider 2.5in WD Passport or Seagate FreeAgent.  320GB are $70.

patio

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2009, 06:40:59 AM »
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193022

I recently grabbed a pair of these...but i didn't pay that much.
Rugged...tales both IDE or SATA HDD's and i've had no issues with heat dissipation.

This co. has a pretty extensive line of enclosures.

patio.
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soybean



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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2009, 08:25:14 AM »
This co. has a pretty extensive line of enclosures.
I'm not familiar with that brand but, for only $19.99 plus shipping, this one looks interesting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193067

Buyer reviews of it are fairly positive.

You might also want to look for one with newegg.com's free shipping offer in effect.  They seem to be offering free shipping on more items than usual, perhaps to stimulate holiday season sales.

patio

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2009, 08:29:51 AM »
Yep...same co. soybean.
The only difference with mine is the feet is the entire width/length of the enclosure.

Heres all the ones newegg stocks...
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2009, 08:36:03 AM »
You've got it right on all counts.  Fan's gonna be noisy.
Does it really need to be IDE?  Just trying to find a home for an old hard drive?

Compatibility with mb,  should I ever want/need to take drive out of enclosure and install in computer.  MB does not do sata.

Quote
If no and no, then consider 2.5in WD Passport or Seagate FreeAgent.  320GB are $70.

Thanks
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WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2009, 08:41:32 AM »
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193022

I recently grabbed a pair of these...

Thanks for the link, and recommendation by model and brand name.

Quote
but i didn't pay that much.
You had to say that, didn't ya?     :) 
heh

Ok... got any other vendors that you can recommend?


Quote
Rugged...tales both IDE or SATA HDD's and i've had no issues with heat dissipation.

This co. has a pretty extensive line of enclosures.

Thanks for your comments on them.


Question:
In the Specs/Features of that drive, on newegg's page,  it says:
"...hard drives up to 750GB..."

Why would an enclosure have any affect on the max drive storage?   
I don't get the statement.....


Thanks
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WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2009, 08:43:50 AM »
I'm not familiar with that brand but, for only $19.99 plus shipping,

Now we're moving in the right direction!
:)

Quote
this one looks interesting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193067

Buyer reviews of it are fairly positive.

You might also want to look for one with newegg.com's free shipping offer in effect.  They seem to be offering free shipping on more items than usual, perhaps to stimulate holiday season sales.

Thanks.

Now as I read along here,I'm feeling like I have, at least, a little bit of direction. 

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WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2009, 08:47:57 AM »
Yep...same co. soybean.
The only difference with mine is the feet is the entire width/length of the enclosure.

The $19.99 model does not mention that it does both IDE and SATA, whereas yours did mention it.
Perhaps that is main price difference?

Also, I noticed something that brings up another question:
Win98 is not mentioned in the description of the $19.99 model.
I'll be using Win98.
I'm wasn't even thinking that a driver might be a problem -    should I be?



Quote
Heres all the ones newegg stocks...

Tnx.
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patio

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #13 on: November 26, 2009, 08:56:55 AM »
I bought locally...for the same price Soybean mentioned.

The description limiting drive size does not make any sense to me...
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

WillyW

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Re: External enclosure advice needed
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2009, 09:12:58 AM »
I bought locally...for the same price Soybean mentioned.

Just my luck.
Tnx

Quote
The description limiting drive size does not make any sense to me...

Good.
I'm not alone.
Tnx.


.

Win98 drivers?      potential problem for me?
any commenst on it?
(I'm googling now, to see if I can find out if there is just some generic driver
to use....)



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