help on seagate 300gig external hd

[Ade007]

I got the seagate external hard drive 300gig. Is it possible to load programs in it just like my internal hard drive? I would like to load my video editing program on it to help relieve the lack of space. I would also like to load some of my other large programs on it too. Also will I be able to utilize my windows xp prof. this drive too?

[yoda313]

Once installed properly it should work exactly like your internal drive.

I added a 160gb internal harddrive after Christmas and it worked beautifully. I can install any program on it and I have it set as my main capture drive for recording tv shows.

[Ade007]

which connection do you think I should use, firewire of usb. I have both options.

[redwudz]

I prefer Firewire as it seems to be better at moving large files such as video. Speed is also a little faster than USB 2.0. USB externals at times can have conflicts with other USB devices on the computer. Firewire seems to avoid this.

Of course you need a Firewire card, but they are in the $20US range at present. The interface your external box uses can make a difference also. The Oxford or TI chipsets seem to be popular.

I went a different route for most of my external drives. I use a external SATA enclosure and SATA interface. If you have this on your computer already, you just hook up the cable and plug it in. You can also get a PCI slot SATA connector for your internal SATA connection. http://www.xpcgear.com/sataptbracket.html

It operates exactly like an internal drive, at the same speed. You can also buy SATA cards for about $20US. Here's one: http://www.xpcgear.com/satasbtsrd2.html
For cases something like this: http://www.xpcgear.com/kwitl35cs.html

But there are several ways to go about external storage. External SATA has all the advantages of an internal drive, but except for installing a card or adding a PCI slot connector, you don't need to use internal drive space in the computer.

[waheed]

I have a 400GB Seagate being used as a External Drive. You should have no problems using your 300GB Seagate externally. Its functions just like an internal drive.

I would also go for Firewire over USB2 as it is more stable and convenient. However, as redwudz has done, I also opted to go for External SATA rather than Firewire or USB2, as it gives all the advantages of an internal drives, but externally.

I did a simple test for transferring a 350MB file via USB2 and SATA to my external drive. It took 46 seconds using USB2, but only 15 seconds with SATA.

[Ade007]

I have an old dell computer, baught in 2000 and it doesn't have SATA capabilities. I wouldn't know how to go about converting it either. I'm not sure if money-wise it is worth it. Right now my computer runs on the ATA version.

[redwudz]

If it was built in 2000, are you sure it's got USB 2.0? USB 1.1 is pretty much useless for data transfer, especially with a large drive. In that case, Firewire would definitely be the better choice. If you already have the card installed, you should be good to go. If not, I'm not familiar with ME, if that's your OS, but the card should come with any needed drivers. If you don't have USB 2.0 and you want to add it, there are inexpensive USB 2.0 PCI cards available. You can even get them with USB 2.0 and Firewire onboard.

[edDV]

Main caveat: Even with USB2 the external drive will run much slower than an internal EIDE drive (10-20 MB/s vs. 30-90MB/s) so the optimization is to put operations needing speed on the internal drive (like the OS) and moderate rate data on the external drive.

Usually the OS drive should be internal and contain the applications that cache. For modern motherboards, MPeg2 and most times up to DV transfer can be done on an external drive. With older machines you will get dropped frames unless capture is done to an internal drive.

[Ade007]

thanks for all your replys. I have a firewire card installed. It also has usb2.0 inputs too.

[Ade007]

Waheed mentioned something about an external SATA Hard Drive, I haven't been able to find that. Any knowledge where I can find it? Also, what price range am I looking at? The 300gb external ATA Hard Drive I have now was $149.99. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[redwudz]

All you need is a regular SATA drive and a external enclosure. (And a screwdriver ) Can't get much simpler. No drivers required and most come with cables and a power supply. The site I linked to above has a good selection of external cases and there are other suppliers out there.

[waheed]

Waheed mentioned something about an external SATA Hard Drive, I haven't been able to find that. Any knowledge where I can find it? Also, what price range am I looking at? The 300gb external ATA Hard Drive I have now was $149.99. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Mine is a internal hard drive in an external enclosure. This is the one I have:

http://www.cooldrives.com/nasadrenwiou.html

Mine has the SPIO logo on it and is black. Has both SATA and USB2 outputs. It doesn't require a screwdriver (doesn't use any screws). Tooless design and also have built in Power Adapter. I bought mine in the UK from a local supplier.