500GB+ External Storage

spib

spib

spib

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Joined
15 Oct 2003
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192
Location
Nottingham, UK
Hi,

I've currently got a maxtor onetouch 200GB external drive which I've been using for backup but now it's gone **** so I need a new one. This time I'm looking for 500GB+ capacity and it's definately got to have firewire. As I see it my options are

- WD MyBook 500GB or similar (approx £200)
- 1 x 500GB disk + separate external enclosure (approx £200)
- 2 x 250GB disks + enclosure(s) (approx £100 for disks)

Obviously the cheapest way would be to have 2 x 250GB disks but I don't like the idea of two enclosures. Are there any which will take more then one disk?

Cheers
 
Why is it broken? Is it the actual enclosure that's broken or the hard drive that's failed? If it's just the old drive then take it out and put a new 500gb drive in there. Obviously it doesn't give you firewire but it would be the cheapest option.

Next best option is to buy a firewire drive enclosure and then buy a 500gb hard drive to put in it.

The reason I personally prefer to put your own drive in is because:

1) It's usually cheaper.
2) The warranty on the drive is often better.
3) You get to choose the drive characteristics you prefer - quiet, fast or a compromise on each.


EDIT: Some NAS devices can take a pair of drives (such as the Thecus Yes) but I don't recall seeing a pure firewife device which does. Personally I'd recommend a NAS anyway (depending on your personal setup). It's probably not quite as fast but often offer more features and some offer the ability to plug in further drives via USB, FW, SATA or internal.

EDIT2: Seeing as your old device is a Maxtor I bet it's the drive itself which has failed (apalling record for modern Maxtors).
 
Last edited:
Hi

Thanks for the reply. Yes it's the drive itself which has failed - bad sectors etc. The original enclosure is firewire which is why i want that in my new setup - usb was really unreliable and slow but that could just be something specific to this product. The reason I haven't looked at a NAS is because this will be purely for off-site backup and so must be portable.
 
On paper USB is faster. But in reality firewire is quicker as it was designed partly for this purpose. I'd suggest buying a 500gb drive (check if you need IDE/PATA or the newer SATA). Then put it in the existing encosure. If, for whatever reason, that doesn't work, then just buy a new enclosure.
 
So does it have to be a maxtor disk. I'd really, really rather not buy one of those ever again :)
 
spib said:
So does it have to be a maxtor disk. I'd really, really rather not buy one of those ever again :)
Click to expand...

I doubt it. In theory any make should work but I suppose it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that there is something in the firmware to prevent drive replacement. That's why I suggested trying a new drive first but being prepared to buy another external enclosure if necessary.
 
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