HARD DRIVES

Hard Drive Enclosures – keeping it simple

Pretty much every computer has got a hard drive inside it. Think of the hard drive as the place onto which the operating system, programs and files are stored. It’s like one large storage and filing system for your computer with all of the stored data referenced and indexed for easy retrieval.

Hard Drives are getting bigger (in terms of storage capacity) because we’re all storing more information on them like music downloads, movies, family videos and pictures. They’re also bigger to cope with the “bloat” in Operating Systems and program files all of which are now significantly larger than they were just a few years ago.

Keeping this growing amount of data in one place where it’s prone to corruption, failure and theft is not a good idea. Add to this the threat of virus’s and Trojan security attack and then you realise that backing up your data on an external hard drive is not just a good idea its essential. Unfortunately too few people have considered this and its only when disaster strikes that the consequences of not having a back up are fully realised.

Backs up solitions don’t have to cost a fortune either. You can of course spend money on packaged hard drives from companies like Maxtor, Lacie and Freecom but a more cost effective solution is to buy an external had drive enclosure and use a hard drive salvaged from an old PC. Or if you don’t have an old PC just buy a new Hard Drive and an Enclosure and combine the two – both approaches will save you a significant amount of money.

An external hard drive enclosure is slightly larger than the hard drive itself, it will often come with a stand or carrying wallet and all the cables you need to connect it to your PC. The hard drive and the enclosure sit outside of your computer and are connected to the computer through a high-speed interface cable, which enables the external hard drive to communicate with the computer by means of interfaces like USB and Fire Wire. 

When it’s connected you can use the external drive just as you would the drive inside the computer but it has the added benefit of being removable and portable. So, you can store it securely or take it and your data with you.

Hard Drive Enclosures are available in two basic formats: SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) and IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics).  IDE drives use a 40-pin connection. SATA is the standard for all new Hard Drives, it’s faster and transfers data at six times the speed of IDE external hard drive.

Whatever option you choose remember to back up on a regular basis.

About the Author

USBNow is a specialist supplier of USB Products including USB Cables, USB Adapters, USB Memory Sticks, Hard Drive Enclosure , USB Cases, Express Cards and lots more besides. – check out our site for the latest products, news and for support – USBNow

How to install an IDE Hard Drive into a USB Enclosure for Wii USB loader GX

Makita Lxt211 Case $21.99 Lxt211 case…

DEWALT DW1650 Replacement Spurs for DW1630-DW1639 $4.00 DeWALT DW1650 Self-Feed Bit Replacement Spurs (For Dw1630 Through Dw1639) (5 Pack) DEWALT is a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools with more than 300 power tool and equipment products as well as 800 power tool accessories. DEWALT tools can be found wherever tools are sold, nationally and internationally. DeWALT DW1650 Self-Feed Bit Replacement Spurs (For Dw1630 Through Dw1639) (5 Pack) …

New Western Digital HDD160GB WD1600AAJB 3.5-Inch EIDE 7200rpm 8MB Cool-Running Quiet Operation …

DVD+RW DRIVE SONY 4X(DVD-R)24X(CDR)10X(CDRW)32X(CD) ATAPI 4X(DVD-R)24X(CDR)16X(CDRW)32X(CD) ATAPI 160MS(CD-ROM) 200MS (DVD) 8192K…

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD5000AAKX $65.49 The Western Digital WD5000AAKX Caviar Blue Hard Drive provide performance and reliability for everyday computing. It features 500GB and SATA 6Gbps interface which increases airflow and offers less clutter in the computer system compared to PATA drives….

2.5 USB 2.0 SATA Hard Drive HDD Case Enclosure $1.68 Portable mobile storage! Connect your 2.5-inch notebook SATA hard drive to a USB port with this External AluminumSATA HDD Enclosure. With its USB 2.0 interface, you’ll get quick data transfers of up to 480 Mbps. Its Silver aluminum casing keeps your hard drive cool for maximum performance and its self powered design means there is no power adapter to carry. For a low cost solution for your externa…

SATA/PATA/IDE Drive to USB 2.0 Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 / 3.5 Inch Hard Drive / Optical Drive with External AC Power Adapter $5.90 Use your 2.5″ / 3.5″ IDE hard drive or SATA hard disc as an additional external hard drive. Connect your SATA / IDE device to your computer through a USB port. Compliant with USB 1.1 and 2.0 standards. Usb 2.0 interface for 480 MB/s high speed data transfer. Package includes USB to IDE / SATA cable adapter, SATA data cable, AC adapter, AC to IDE power converter, IDE to SATA and power cable….

DOMINO SUGAR PACKETS – 100 Packs $3.09 Domino Sugar Packets Pack of 1…

Domino Sugar, 100-Count Packets (Pack of 12) $29.00 Domino Granulated Pure Cane Sugar is extra fine granulated, free-flowing and of the highest quality. This all-purpose sugar is ideal for table use, baking, preserving, canning, and for sweetening beverages…

Coolerguys 110v AC to 12 / 5v DC 4pin Molex 2A Power Adapter $8.99 Great Adapter to Power your Entertainment Center Cooling or Lighting. Standard 4 Pin Molex Connector….