Computer Experts

[The Negotiator]

I am thinking about going for this (if it goes cheap because of the following) but if you read it, it says it won't work for XP:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16178&item=5159652909&rd=1

Now, I am 90% sure it would be supported in XP and what he has done is read the manual saying that it doesn't come with drivers for XP because they are native but it comes with drivers for 9x.

Is this assumption correct? Or is it possible it's using a weird chipset that isn't supported on XP?

I intend to slot in a 160gb cheapo hard disk in for backup and media storage for my laptop.

Thanks for the help in advance.
Paul

 

[Luke]

The way XP works in comparison to 98 is XP doesnt allow direct connection of software to hardware, it has to go through a 3rd party driver or program - which is why it needs a specific driver and not a general one that works on 95,98, ME etc...

It may be worth buying and holding on for a driver, but then wouldnt hold your breath.

So basically. something like an external HDD, it needs a specific driver for the OS due to the way hardware is controlled. Without an XP driver, it simply wont work

 

[The Negotiator]

That's not the case though is it for mass storage....I can plug almost any USB 2.0 mass storage device in form a USB memory stick to my USB 2.0 external 2.5" drive and it has native support as the driver is built into USB.

I know that's the case for the majority of mass storage, for instance, all those external caddies don't need a driver for anything but 9X based OSs do and they come included. However, I just wondered if I could take this as being the case for ALL mass storage.

Searching the net (quite obviously) everywhere shows this to be for XP. I mean why would anybody develop a USB 2.0 caddy when 9X doesn't even support USB 2.0 AFAIK nor accepts HDDs up to 300gb etc. etc.

 

[Luke]

That's not the case though is it for mass storage....I can plug almost any USB 2.0 mass storage device in form a USB memory stick to my USB 2.0 external 2.5" drive and it has native support as the driver is built into USB.

I know that's the case for the majority of mass storage, for instance, all those external caddies don't need a driver for anything but 9X based OSs do and they come included. However, I just wondered if I could take this as being the case for ALL mass storage.

Searching the net (quite obviously) everywhere shows this to be for XP. I mean why would anybody develop a USB 2.0 caddy when 9X doesn't even support USB 2.0 AFAIK nor accepts HDDs up to 300gb etc. etc.

USB memory sticks have a generic driver in XP, so if it doesnt have a specific driver it uses the generic one. But for external hardrives, its a bit different as they're not flash media...

but yea, it being USB 2 suggests there should be compatibility, but then there are a few cheap things out there that are USB 2 that dont actually work on XP.

In short paul, its up to you... I got the impression from him that he would have kept it if it worked on XP, and assume that he's not that useless to give it a try to see if it worked.

But if you are after a cheap caddy USB or otherwise, have a look on www.novatech.co.uk. Thats where i get all my stuff from. never had any troubles over the few years i've been using them

 

[The Negotiator]

Luke, my trouble is I have quite a mentality problem, if I am buying something, I MUST get the best value for money (doesn't matter always if not the cheapest, just best value for money).

Now I can get a 160gb external Argosy drive from Amazon market place for £77 inc. P&P (71.88+ P&P), if I could get this caddy cheap and a 160gb drive off ebuyer/dabs etc. I might save £2-£3 lol, thinking about it I doubt I can save anything but that metal case looks sooo cool lol.

I've had cheap USB 2.0 - my laptop TV tuner is cheap USB 2.0 and despite it being a bugger to make work, it worked fine eventually!

I would be seriously surprised if it doesn't work and I am sure he must just not have tried it?!

I might go for the drive at amazon now.

 

[The Negotiator]

Scrap that! Just got the following from amazon:

Amazon.co.uk Marketplace Order Summary
Items: £68.28
Postage & Packing: £5.01

Total: £73.29


How cheap?!

 

[The Negotiator]

Well I went for it, 160gb external USB 2.0 drive for £73.29 all in, I don't like spending that sort of money lol

 

[Dr_Pepper]

160GB you're having a laugh aren't you my hard drive is 40 and I've only used 15!

 

[Stu DemonD]

I can't see an issue - I use a 120Mb*2 RAID 0 system [223Gb after drive mapping] and am about to buy a 80gb drive [ATA133, 8Mb] to use primarilary as a boot drive.

You can't beat space, plus it means virtual memory problems not an issue.

Only problem - I will need to reformat

 

[The Negotiator]

I am a very heavy PC user remember Richard....I have every single album I own on my laptop, some DVDs also (I know this is pushing the law but I don't share any of it, it's all for my personal use) and it's also for backup.

Not sure if you know but laptop HDDs are generally only 40-80gb, a few have 100gb now but very expensive and slow drives. Mine is 60gb and last week when I put my office DVD on I suddenly had 3gb left Action had to be taken.

Remember I also have a 10mbit connection so often download software and programs (i.e. Americas Army, Enemy Territory, SWAT 4 demo - cool game!) which are 800mb/300mb/200mb etc. etc. I also fiddle around with video editing every so often and some of my projects are over a gig each.

I also am a terrible horder!

 

[The Negotiator]

Sorry, forgot to say, my idea was that this way I can have a complete backup pretty much of anything I want on my laptop HDD plus a minimum of 100gb spare.

This means I am selling my old 2.5" mini 3.2gb back up drive....

 

[Dr_Pepper]

Don't get me wrong you can have as many gigamiflops as you like!

I've got my entire record collection on my computer too... both of them!!

 

[The Negotiator]

Thanks for your permission

I blame exams for my spending, exams always make me spend!

 

[Stu DemonD]

I blame exams for my spending, exams always make me spend!

Wait until you get a wife

 

[The Negotiator]

*gulp*

 

[The Negotiator]

OK, now for sale I have a IBM branded 3.2 gb USB 2.0 external HDD in blue, aluminium case, leatherette case and cable (it doesn't need any power other than from the USB port). The case is special in that it accepts drives larger than 9mm too. You can take the 3.2gb out at any time and use a much larger drive.

Pictures on request, but there might be one:

https://www.fiatforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2181

Price, offers around £25 inc. postage, if not, it's going on ebay.

I only ever used it as a backup but you could easily use it as a larger memory stick (it's about the size of a calculator)

 

[Stu DemonD]

OK, now for sale I have a IBM branded 3.2 gb USB 2.0 external HDD in blue, aluminium case, leatherette case and cable (it doesn't need any power other than from the USB port). The case is special in that it accepts drives larger than 9mm too. You can take the 3.2gb out at any time and use a much larger drive.

Pictures on request, but there might be one:

https://www.fiatforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2181

Price, offers around £25 inc. postage, if not, it's going on ebay.

I only ever used it as a backup but you could easily use it as a larger memory stick (it's about the size of a calculator)

Can you please put ALL ads in the Classified section - many thanks

 

[The Negotiator]

And who reads it? That's the problem. I know I have my target audience with this title.

 

[Liam]

Do what your told Paulie!

You need this HD really

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?MAX-P16300

Liam

 

[The Negotiator]

Don't do it to me! 160gb is enough! Isn't it...