Internal HDD External Conn. - Dig Feb2K5 - Q&A - Pg100

[quad master]

Hi All

i wanted to ask you all if you have read the latest Feb 2005 Digit Issue.

There is a mention of "Case" in which i can insert my IDE - PATA HDD.
and that "Case" is connected to the PC through a USB port.
This "Case" functions more like a "External HDD Reader"

Just like we insert a Memory Card in a Card Reader
here
We insert a IDE - PATA - HDD into this case and that HDD is now accessible on our PC.

I will call this "Case" as a USB HDD Reader for my convenience.
although it can read and write to a HDD

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now doubts are as follows

My Configs
~~~~~~~
ASUS Made - Intel 440BX Motherboard - [5yrs OLD]
Intel P-III 450Mhz
256MB SD Ram
Nvida Riva TNT 8MB
Samsung 40GB - 7200rpm - PATA [using in 32GB Clip Mode]
Creative SBLive 5.1
OS - Win98

1.> Will this USB HDD Reader work with my Config.
2.> I have a USB 1.1 slot will it work with it.
3.> Are there drivers for it which will help in using it on Win98
3.> Since my PC cant support more that 32GB , as this USB HDD Reader
is independent of my Motherboard can i use 40/80/120/160/200/250 GB HDD's
on my Config using this USB HDD Reader.
4.> If anyone is using this hardware "USB HDD Reader" can some one
suggest me a good brand and what problems have you faced using it.
5.> What will be the cost of this USB HDD Reader if anyone already has it.

I am really intrested in buying this but i wanted to clear my doubts
before i buy it.

Wating for your replies.

[quad master]

Guys i am waiting for your views if you will not not answer then where
do i ask them.

Please contribute

Every small bit of info does count.

[GameAddict]

Hi,

godzi_85 has bought such a case.Ask him and he might clear all your doubts.

GA

[quad master]

thanks m8 will ask him

[AlienTech]

1.> Will this USB HDD Reader work with my Config.

Well maybe, most likely it will... But not plug and play yet...

2.> I have a USB 1.1 slot will it work with it.

yes but it will be very slow... You wont be able to use it as a regular HD. Eg.. I store movies and stuff on an external case and burn them to DVD directly.. You wont be able to do that. You have to copy it to your internal HD and then burn it.

3.> Are there drivers for it which will help in using it on Win98

Hmmm.. I am not sure about win98... But I know Win98 SE has USB driver update... I use that and it seems to work...

3.> Since my PC cant support more that 32GB , as this USB HDD Reader
is independent of my Motherboard can i use 40/80/120/160/200/250 GB HDD's on my Config using this USB HDD Reader.

No... But there are programs that let you do this, IE access more than 32 gigs.. Like ontrack disk manager and stuff. Usually it is better to partition the drive into 32meg partition adn then use the diskmanager to acess it. Since it also allows you to make it into one giant hd partition and runs slow as hell.

4.> If anyone is using this hardware "USB HDD Reader" can some one
suggest me a good brand and what problems have you faced using it.
5.> What will be the cost of this USB HDD Reader if anyone already has it.

Well thats a tough one... being india you dont have brands like that.. But you can look at chipsets and it does make a huge difference in speed... But since you are running it at USB 1.1 mode it does not matter but you have to get a very good power supply... IE 2Amps at least. Not the 1Amp that comes with most cases... IE I sometimes use my cd burner externally and the 1Amp supply will abort the burn after a while as it can not keep up with the power requiremenet at 52x. But it seems to work fine with most HD functions.. But better to pay a little extra and get the 2amp supply... They cost around rs.1500...

Make sure the supply is external.. At least you wont get electrucited. Being this is india after all and they mostly use all metal cases.. Well.. being india, I would be cautious about the things they do here. I have one with an internal supply that I am afraid to use. (being I have a degree industrial electronics and played with 50,000 volts, its scarey).

[quad master]

Thanks for your help AlienTech.
I have Win98 SE.
------------------------------
I will be happy with a 40Gig HDD[32GD Clip].
I just want to use it for backup purpose only.
Backup = my internal HDD Mirror Image
I will not burn CD's directly from that USB connected HDD coz its just
backup that i will be having on it.

And When the HDD is conected to the USB IDE Adapter should it be in Master or Slave mode ?

[bhush_18]

if the reason for buying this case is clipping(limiting) of your HDD to 32GB then I would suggest you to look for disk overlay softwares which will allow you to fully utilise your HDD capacity.

[quad master]

Thanks bhush_18
will try for sure