external hard drives

[emuler]

I think handling is also an issue. Modern HDDs can stand quite a few bumps and knocks when they are switched off but not when they are running. External HDDs tend to suffer in this regard a lot more than those inside the case. Avoid moving any HDD (external or otherwise) while it is running. Also, use a soft cloth padding underneath to absorb shock and vibrations.

[Debaser]

Possibly find a top quality bare external enclosure & fit the hard drive of your choice.

That idea had occurred to me.
Hell, let’s not even bother with a case lol, seeing as cases appear to be the cause of the trouble.

If anyone here can recommend me a nice external hard drive or empty case, im interested to hear about them, but only if you have experience in the actual product.

Thanks

[ARTHORIUS]

Maybe Santa will can help you

[Debaser]

No such luck im afraid.

I’m getting more practical stuff for my new home.
Oh and a DAB radio

[ARTHORIUS]

Loooooooooool

[FLL]

The #1 killer of drives is heat (and also for externals, getting bumped, probably). A lot of external cases are very tight and radiate heat through their aluminum, but in my experience that often doesn't work well. Two of my externals with separately-bought cases got flaky, one I leave the top off to keep it cool and that helped. Cheap cases don't seem to be very smart, they leave the drive running continuously even if not in use and that is bad.

I like externals, especially since my main machine is maxed out with drives (80GB, 320GB, 320GB, and a CD). It's also good that I can easily move them between machines (I do most of my work on a notebook these days).

I have two WD MyBooks (250GB and 500GB) and I prefer them to my other externals: nice brick-like shape, doesn't tip over and is stackable. The ventilation seems sufficint too, the drive isn't crammed into a tiny case. I don't like the warranty is only 1 year (and starts from manufacture so by the time it gets to you it's less) but I haven't had a problem. I like how the MyBook automatically sleeps when it hasn't been accessed in a while.

I also have two Seagate FreeAgent drives, 500GB and 750 GB, because they have been a bit cheaper lately when I needed one and they have a five year warranty. (I know rationally the longer warranty is mostly marketing and if I ever tried to get a replacement they would probably screw me over, but it still makes me feel better). The FreeAgent drives also power down the drive when not in use and it works but is a little flakier than WD in that regard, occasionally I have needed to unplug and replug one of them to get it to wake up. Not often though. Aestheically I like the packaging, they stand up on a little base and they seem to stay pretty cool. I don't like the packaging from the point of view that they are easily tipped over, which happens a lot when I have them plugged into my notebook and my dog bumps into them. And the 750GB FreeAgent Pro has an annoying light on top that seems to stay on whenever it's plugged in. It does have eSata though, which increases drive transfer speed from the slow USB speed to thesame speed as an internal drive. (Haven't used it yet though personally).

So I have had good luck, but my externals haven't been running continuously like yours. But I really think a decent quality external drive kept cool will be fine. I figure buying a WD or Seagate external already packaged helps in that regard, since they built and warantee the package they must have engineered it to be a little more reliable than third party packaging.

[ARTHORIUS]

My actual "BEAST"

[Image]

Case Thermaltake Black Dragon
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
4 GB RAM 667 DDR2
1 HDD Seagate 500GB
1 HDD Maxtor 750GB
Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT 512MB Pci-e
Motherboard Asus P5K Deluxe
LCD ACER 24" TFT
POWERSUPPLY 650W

8 cooler fan 120mm


plus other accessories...

My pc is always fresh