FairySari Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 So my laptop is havin some issues, and it's under warranty, so I'm getting it fixed. I want to get an external hard drive this weekend so I have somewhere to put everything while its being fixed, and also to use as a backup once its fixed, or i get a new one. (One of the issues is that the cd burner no longer works, so it'll probably be the easiest way to get everything off here). But... I know absolutely nothing about external hard drives. I'm looking to spend under $200. Maybe 60 or 80 gigs. Do these things usually connect via USB? Any reccomended brands or ones to avoid? I'll probably be going to the Tiger Direct store in Markham to buy it, but I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Don't go to Tiger Direct, Canada Computers is MUCH better. They have a great location near Bayview and Major Mack, and they are also downtown.Does your laptop support USB 2.0? If so, I will get you a good suggestions lickety split. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Thanks Basher - my parents live right near Bayview and Major Mac, so it'll be super easy to pop in there while I'm visiting them this weekend.But, well, I don't know if it's USB 2.0 or not... The laptop's about 2 and a half years old... how do i check?(shainhouse has the same laptop as me.... shain, do you know?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Do you know the make and model number? I can look it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 (edited) Actually, it doesn't really matter. The ones I am looking at are backwards compatible, but it will take a lot longer to copy data at USB 1.1. IOGear 40GB Edited October 13, 2005 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 It's a Toshiba Sattelite A10Model No.PSA10C-035WM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Yep, looks like it is USB 2.0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Nice. Thanks, man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 No prob. Canada Computers has awesome prices. Staples sells that drive for $190. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberHippie Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 From Candada Computers you could get a 200gb hard drive and the external enclosure for under $200.You just pop the hard drive into the enclosure and your off to the races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basher Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Yeah, I get the feeling that Sari doesn't want to have to assemble it.If I am wrong, give'r. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 I heard that drives over 200 gb are prone to crashing. But really, I don't think I need anything that big. 100gb would probably be the max i would need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Help!Ok, so I wound up going to tiger direct, but i got a normal hard drive, and a case, and got them to put it together for me. Now I'm following all the instructions, and it's not working. Here's what going on:I got a Maxtor 160GB hard drive and a 'super slim' usb 2.0 case. I have windows xp home.It says to right click on 'my computer' choose 'manage' to go to the 'computer management' window.Ok, no problem.Then it says click on 'disk management' and all the drives are supposed to show. well, my internal hard drive, and my cd drive show up, but not the one i plugged in. I can;t find it anywhere.The power is plugged in, there's a little red light on the drive, but i can;t find it anywhere on my computer. when i plug it in it even makes that little 'ba-ding' noise it makes when i plug in my mouse. i tried clicking refresh, i tried rebooting, i have no idea what to do.any suggestions??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaggyBalls Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 have you installed the necessary drivers??good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headygouda Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Sometimes drives need to be plugged in (internally) and formatted prior to installing via an external case. But sometimes drives can be formatted from the usb enclosure as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted October 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Yay! it's working now - brought i tback to tiger direct, and apparently they forgot to set the drive to 'master' on the inside... whatever that means... anyway, it's formatting now. woot! now i cant wait for my new lg lu20 laptop to go with it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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