Phuket Thailand

Sirgezza · #1 24-03-2007, 04:44

I will need some disc space that is connected to my computer. I've looked at Kelkoo and am surprised at how big ( and cheap

) disc space is now.

I recently managed to change the dvd burner in my computer, and am wondering how difficult it is to ADD another hard drive. The idea being is that I would keep my current 74 gig hD and have a 200 gig hd in there as well.

The alternative is to buy an external HD and then when I change computer, keep the ext HD.

I bought my computer a couple of years ago and assume that there is a ''slot'' for additional HDs?

briofoz · #2 24-03-2007, 05:09

Adding a hard drive is normally very easy. There will probably be 2 connectors already in place, the IDE cable and a power connection (the 4 pin one with yellow red and black wires to it) Should also be 2 slots to physically hold the HD. If you are going to do it, make sure you unplug power from the box first. The jumper on the back of the new HD should be set to CS. Google will help....

steve@thaib · #3 24-03-2007, 05:10

PC World have some great deals on external HDs at the minute Gez. 250gb was £80 when I looked.

Sirgezza · #4 24-03-2007, 05:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

PC World have some great deals on external HDs at the minute Gez. 250gb was £80 when I looked.

Thanks Steve - is it just a normal USB cable connection. It seems really easy. How does the hard disc show up within windows, as a second c: ?

Sirgezza · #5 24-03-2007, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by briofoz

Adding a hard drive is normally very easy. There will probably be 2 connectors already in place, the IDE cable and a power connection (the 4 pin one with yellow red and black wires to it) Should also be 2 slots to physically hold the HD. If you are going to do it, make sure you unplug power from the box first. The jumper on the back of the new HD should be set to CS. Google will help....

So how many leads/connections would I have to fit?

Once it is in, is there anything complicated with using it. or does the computer do it automatically for me. i.e. if I wanted to save something, would it give me the choice of the old HD or the new one?

steve@thaib · #6 24-03-2007, 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirgezza

Thanks Steve - is it just a normal USB cable connection. It seems really easy. How does the hard disc show up within windows, as a second c: ?

Just a USB connection and then in My Computer you will show a 'c' and a 'D' drive. Simple as that.

Sirgezza · #7 24-03-2007, 05:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Just a USB connection and then in My Computer you will show a 'c' and a 'D' drive. Simple as that.

My d: at the moment is cd/dvd player, my e: is the cd/dvd burner, do these then become e: and f:?

steve@thaib · #8 24-03-2007, 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirgezza

So how many leads/connections would I have to fit?

Once it is in, is there anything complicated with using it. or does the computer do it automatically for me. i.e. if I wanted to save something, would it give me the choice of the old HD or the new one?

Once fitted they are easy, whether internal or external, it's just 'save as' and pick out your drive. I have all my pictures importing on to a second hard drive, which in theory leaves my first drive relatively free.

Sirgezza · #9 24-03-2007, 05:55

£80 for 250 gb looks like a very good price.

I am tempted!!!!!!!

steve@thaib · #10 24-03-2007, 05:59

Go and have a look what you can get, but external ones make a lot of sense and are easy to fit.

Is there anything to be had in the exchange rate as you will be shopping in Swansea?

Sirgezza · #11 24-03-2007, 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Go and have a look what you can get, but external ones make a lot of sense and are easy to fit.

Is there anything to be had in the exchange rate as you will be shopping in Swansea?

That lot down South still use the system of barter. We are more civilised up in the North. I'll call in PC World in Bangor on the way home one day next week.

steve@thaib · #12 24-03-2007, 07:53

I met a gurl from bang'er once, we had a luvverly time......

LivinLOS · #13 24-03-2007, 09:23

An external will be a lot slower than a USB.. Unless you want to be mobile put it inside..

400 GB drives cheap now.. Always buy large !!

Nautilus · #14 24-03-2007, 09:46

Anyone using the Seagate 2.5" USB 2.0 external HDDs?

Is it fast?

Thinking of getting the 120gb model.

steve@thaib · #15 24-03-2007, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

An external will be a lot slower than a USB.. Unless you want to be mobile put it inside..

400 GB drives cheap now.. Always buy large !!

I didn't realise that there would be write speed issues.

I have just upgraded and the new PC has a 350gb plus an 80gb backup drive inside. I will probably go for an external myself when the time comes. Having them moveable is big bonus for me.

Sirgezza · #16 24-03-2007, 16:56

Components » Hard Drives » Desktop External - Overclockers UK

This site seems to have some good choice and prices.

@LIL, if I am downloading from the internet,will the fact that the stuff is going to an external hard drive slow it down?

Maybe I could download to the internal drive and then copy it across?

steve@thaib · #17 24-03-2007, 16:58

Don't copy, move. If you copy you will have it twice and then you will run into storage issues...

Sirgezza · #18 24-03-2007, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Don't copy, move. If you copy you will have it twice and then you will run into storage issues...

Thanks Steve - I would have then deleted the original after the pasting bit. Move seems a bit more sensible, but never used it before

Sirgezza · #19 31-03-2007, 19:20

Latest update:

I've bought an external 320Gb hard drive (£70 for the fiscally-minded amongst us). I've attached the leads/cables and the new drive shows up as an F: drive.

I'd like to back up all the important files from my c: drive, but not any other stuff. There is about 40gigs used up on my c:. Should I copy all of it across and then delete th unimportant stuff, or can someone tell me which files or directories are the ones worth backing up on to the new F: drive. (I assume program files and some software like windows?)

Thanks