Spec me a backup HD please!

InKursion

InKursion

InKursion

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Hi all,

Can anyone let me know what else I'll need to buy from the OCUK store in order to fit this OEM hard-drive as a backup?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ue 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD6400AAKS)

I intend to use it as a backup for all my media/work files, which are currently stored on my main internal SATA drive. Will I need any other additional cabling in order to connect the 2 two internal hard-drives together?

Many thanks!
 
Spare sata cable is all really, I assume you'll have enough sata power connectors on your PSU?

You might have spare sata cables from your MB though.

4 screws too, depending on what case you have (my CM 690 is tooless)
 
Any backup drive shouldn't be mounted internally because it's then powered up and at the same risks as the source drive. An external caddy like this one will allow you to only power up the backup drive when you need it. If you have an eSATA port then it comes with everything you need, if you don't then you can either use the slower USB interface or get a SATA to eSATA adapter.
 
rpstewart said:
Any backup drive shouldn't be mounted internally because it's then powered up and at the same risks as the source drive. An external caddy like this one will allow you to only power up the backup drive when you need it. If you have an eSATA port then it comes with everything you need, if you don't then you can either use the slower USB interface or get a SATA to eSATA adapter.
Click to expand...

this
 
Thanks for the suggestion of an external SATA-enclosure... hadn't thought of that.

The reason I wanted an internal backup (by 'internal' I mean a SATA as opposed to an external USB drive) is because my primary drive occasionally suffers from fits of clicking and other such "sounds of deathliness". Therefore if the primary SATA crashes I'd like a backup internal that could optionally have a Windows partition. Power-surges and system meltdowns weren't really my concern... should they be? :o.

That said, do you still recommend buying an external rack and the drive? Or should I just buy the OEM SATA as linked in the OP with a SATA power cable? What about the 'data cables' that the website recommends?

Thanks,
 
connect the new hd internally, (remove the current one when doing this), install windows on it -as a resort if your main one fails..

now connect it up externally, and reconnect the main one. use the new one as a backup drive -with the windows setup on there in case of emergency :)
 
domthecondom said:
erm, consider your main Harddrive dead soon :P
Click to expand...

I very much do, and don't want to lose the 500Gb of music and film that's kept on it :p.

So Bledd you suggest using the SATA connector cables that are already inside my case (i.e. connecting my main internal drive at the moment) to format windows on the spare 'external' SATA? And then storing it in an enclosure like the above-recommended Icy Box? Sounds simple enough to me.

Is there anything else I would need to buy with the Icy Box and OEM Drive? Or is it just simply a process of get the two products and fit 'em together? I take it the Icy Box comes with a power-supply or hence otherwise at least a USB 2.0 cable so that it can run off the desktop's power supply?

Thanks again, big help! Definitely seems like a better idea than just buying another USB 2.0 external drive! Got the things piling up!

Edit: Another big question! If I used an external SATA as a backup for my music collection, could I access and 'stream' the media through my iTunes/Windows Media Player in the same way that I can from a USB flash drive? I.e. does the external enclosure prevent the hard-drive from being accessed from via Windows Explorer in an ordinary fashion? Thanks again!
 
usb2 and esata cables come with it (and a power block)

just appears as a normal drive, never used windows media player or itunes, so can't comment there

-i'd consider getting a replacement main drive if yours is on it's way out
 
bledd. said:
usb2 and esata cables come with it (and a power block)

just appears as a normal drive, never used windows media player or itunes, so can't comment there

-i'd consider getting a replacement main drive if yours is on it's way out
Click to expand...

Yeah, I will in time... probably nearer Xmas though, I'm moving into University next week so the 'broke student' times are soon to begin :p.

I do hope that the eSATA and USB2.0 cables come with the enclosure, or 'Icy Box' or whatever... USB2.0A-A cables are sold out on OCUK store, damn it! Also I'm glad it has a 'tool-less installation' because I'll be damned if I can find any drive-mounting screws anywhere :confused:

Thanks for your help, I guess I'll take the plunge and hook it all up!
 
That particular icybox enclosure is excellent and i'd highly recommend it. No screws or internal cables required and it takes seconds to remove or install a hard drive.
 
Thanks for the replies so far, you've been very helpful!

As to eSata over USB2.0:

My motherboard supports eSata connection in the feature list, and has a 'Jmicron JMB363' as an additional controller. Does this mean I'll need to buy the above-recommended SATA to eSata PCI converter? I don't see any eSata ports on the back of my computer so I'm guessing it's not quite as simple as plug in and go :p.

Edit: Would it be less hassle to fit the drive internally, on the stipulation that power-surges and PSU faults aren't my chief concern at this moment? I.e. The rapidly accelerating death of my current main internal drive presides in my mind :P. If I decided to just fit the drive internally, I'd only need to buy a SATA power-cable with the OCUK OEM package? Or a SATA power-cable and a SATA data cable?
 
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Hi again guys, apologies for the double post...

I've just ordered the SATA drive and the Icy Box enclosure from the OCuK store, and I'm wondering if it would be possible to format Windows on the SATA (as I want it as a backup and live-accessible drive) via the eSata connection, i.e. externally? Someone earlier said I should swap the new drive with my current primary SATA-drive in order to format Windows, but my situation is that tomorrow I move to University and can't take/find all of the tools for such a job!

Could I install Windows on the external with my main drive still installed? Or, failing that, could I install Windows to the new HD via eSata connection if I disconnected the power/data-cabling from the first? At the moment I have an Antec 900 case and I'm useless at even opening the drive cage, let alone swapping a hard-drive just for the purpose of partitioning it!

Many thanks,
 
you could install windows over esata, but not over usb2

you could format it over esata or usb2, in disk management in windows




also, to install windows on it, you wouldn't have to fully mount it in the case, just balance it vertically and plug the cables in from the other drive..
 
So it's definitely necessary for it to be the only drive connected (or the 'Master' drive) in order to install a Windows XP or Vista partition on it? And why balanced vertically exactly? Never heard that before, the drives in all my past cases were racked horizontally :/.

I have an eSata cable and an eSata PCI adaptor for my computer, so are you saying I could connect the fresh drive in the external enclosure and run the Windows installer and go through the steps in order to have a Windows partition/account on the external drive, without even having to open the case? That would be the ideal scenario for me; the next week is going to be hectic enough for me without having to take apart my computer and redo my cable management! (Antec 900 is a bit of a whore for space with big graphics cards... have bundled some of the cables around the hard-drive bays, which is why I have such trouble removing them and getting them out).

Thanks a lot for your advice, you've been a big help to me so far in a time when, frankly, I've needed fast answers! If this Forum had a +reputation or a give karma system, consider yourself awarded sir :D
 
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