External hard drive connectivity

[under par]

I have finally taken the plunge and purchased my MAXTOR ONETOUCH III 300gb hard drive


The only problem is the cable from the packet does not fit any of the holes on the back of my computer.


Now the little I know of computers tells me that if there's no hole for the cable something dreadful has happened in my selection of this hard drive.

I have since noticed my computer has USB and not USB 2.0.... nor do I have Firewire 800 or firewire 400.

Can I cheaply get any of these for my computer ?

Can a serious non-geek attach them to my computer if I can get them?

What would I be searching for if I was looking say on Pricerunner .com

OR DO I HAVE TO SEND MY NEW PURCHASE BACK??


HELP

[straycat]

You should be able to get a USB2 or Firewire PCI card for your machine (assuming it's a desktop machine, and you have a free slot) This might do the job quite nicely...

If it's a laptop, I defer to one of the forum's laptop experts.

Fairly simple to put them in.

[David Franklin]

Originally Posted by under par

I have finally taken the plunge and purchased my MAXTOR ONETOUCH III 300gb hard drive


The only problem is the cable from the packet does not fit any of the holes on the back of my computer.

Oops.

I have since noticed my computer has USB and not USB 2.0.... nor do I have Firewire 800 or firewire 400.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no difference in the physical connectors used for USB v.s. USB 2.0. USB1 is a lot slower though - probably slower than you would want to use (but it will do in an emergency).

Of course, the key question is what connection the Maxtor actually requires. From my quick websearch, I think there are different versions with different interfaces (USB/Firewire/Both), so you will need to make sure you know which you actually need. (It should be on the invoice - or at least an exact model number which will enable you to accurately search for the info).

Can I cheaply get any of these for my computer ?

Yes - you can get a PCI card with USB2.0 and/or Firewire connections for something like a tenner.

Can a serious non-geek attach them to my computer if I can get them?

I only have experience with Firewire cards, but in my experience it should be "a piece of p*ss".

What would I be searching for if I was looking say on Pricerunner .com

I have no experience of Pricerunner - I often use www.overclockers.co.uk - stuff usually arrives next day and I'm impatient!

For USB cards try: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/USB_Cards.html
For Firewire: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...ire_Cards.html

The "value" cards should do you fine - no need to spend more.

(This all assumes a non-laptop. If it's a laptop things become more tricky...)

[Chef]

Hello Paul

Originally Posted by under par

II have since noticed my computer has USB and not USB 2.0.... nor do I have Firewire 800 or firewire 400.

There is no physical difference between USB (known also as 1.1) and USB 2.0. The only difference is the speed at which they operate. So it may well be that you do have USB 2.0 but have no physical way of telling which speed you have.

Is it possible for you to post a picture of the two ends of your connecting cable and your USB port on the forum. We might be able to tell you more and advise you if you only need another sort of cable.

Originally Posted by under par

Can I cheaply get any of these for my computer ?

If your computer is a laptop then life is a little more tricky. You can buy add on cards that will give you USB 2.0 and/or firewire ports to go in the PCMIA slot of most laptops and they are not too expensive.

Have a look on the following Maplin webpage

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...1m10&source=15

This shows results for both PC and laptop add on cards. (nearest maplin store in Brighton).


If you have a desktop computer you can easily buy add on cards that will give you most combinations of USB 2.0 and/or firewire ports.


Before we get to the point of you buying something new lets try gathering some more information about what you currently have.





There is very little difference in transfer speed between USB 2.0 (400mbps) and the speed of a firewire (480mbps). USB 2.0 is the most common.

[under par]

Thankyou guys really great help already

My hard drive accepts USB2 , Firewire 800 or 400 !

I need to buy the hole for the back of my computer for one or all of these.

So if I am to buy the holes for the back which would be preferable?


Or should I get a mix?

PS its a PC not laptop[


Chef not got camera handy but will try tomorrow

[straycat]

Given that cards are so cheap, get a card that does both. Obviously, Firewire 800 is better than 400, and I think I'm right in saying that it's faster than USB2 ... but USB2 devices are more common, and generally cheaper, so an investment in USB2 is a good idea regardless.

Yep. Get both

[pmjd]

Firewire comes in two speeds firewire 400 and firewire 800. I'd recommend using firewire over USB 2.0 as both 400 & 800 are faster than USB 2.0. If you can get a card with firewire 800 I'd go for that.

It's dead easy to add in cards to your computer, provided you've got space inside to add more cards. If you take off the cover to your computer you should see white slots about 2.5-3" long, close to the back, are PCI slots.

I've had good experiences with overclockers too

[David Franklin]

Originally Posted by under par

Thankyou guys really great help already

My hard drive accepts USB2 , Firewire 800 or 400 !

I need to buy the hole for the back of my computer for one or all of these.

The first question is whether or not your PC already has a USB connection. (You say it has USB, so it should do). You need to look for a small slot (about 1cm long and 2-3 mm wide), there should be a symbol near it looking like:



My guess is that you do have a USB connection on the PC, it's just that the cable you have isn't right (might be firewire, might just be a f**kup somewhere along the line). In which case getting a USB cable would be the easiest way of getting going, even if it leaves you with USB1.1.

Also, how old is your PC? If it's less than about 5 years old, the chances are it has USB2.0, you just don't know it.

As far as whether to choose USB or Firewire: USB is more generally useful for PC stuff - but firewire is (or at least used to be, I may be out of date) the easiest way of connecting a digital camcorder to your PC. If you only get one, I'd get USB.

[Dreadful Scathe]

You should notice quite quickly if your new HD, once you get the cable, is running at usb 2.0 speeds or not as Windows XP will pop-up a box saying "this could be running faster if you plugged it into a USB 2.0 slot" - or words to that affect....

[TheTramp]

Can't imagine that you'd have a computer without USB. Is it just that there's something already plugged into it?

If so, a quick trip down to your local PC World (or indeed, our local Tesco extra sells them) to purchase a USB 4-way hub for next to nothing would work...

[under par]

Right upon further investigation of the cable I have been given it is a 1394b which a google search tells me is a firewire cable.

I think I will invest in a card with USB 2 and firewire and get another cable for my harddrive via a USB2 too. and see how it goes

A big THANKYOU gents for all your help.

From a slighty less non-geek Under Par

[under par]

I contacted the supplier of the hard drive and asked for a USB 2 cable to connect to the hard drive.

I am waiting in for delivery today.

I am hoping that the cable will solve the problems .... if not I will be looking to get a card as mentioned above ... will keep you updated.

In answer to several points I DO have USB on my computer.

[El Salsero Gringo]

Originally Posted by under par

I contacted the supplier of the hard drive and asked for a USB 2 cable to connect to the hard drive.

I am waiting in for delivery today.

I am hoping that the cable will solve the problems .... if not I will be looking to get a card as mentioned above ... will keep you updated.

In answer to several points I DO have USB on my computer.

I have to warn you, UP, that your non-geek status is at severe risk of revocation...

[straycat]

Amazing how hard drive prives have come down...

Just got a lovely new 400 gig drive for £110 (USB2)...

Maybe I can finally put a decent backup policy in place now

[under par]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

I have to warn you, UP, that your non-geek status is at severe risk of revocation...

[straycat]

Originally Posted by under par

I think it may be too late. Now you've started the iPod Speakers thread as well as this one, I think we have no choice but to make you a confirmed Geek.

Should we take a vote? In fact.... maybe we should start a poll?

[under par]

Originally Posted by straycat264

Should we take a vote? In fact.... maybe we should start a poll?

NO ! NO ! NOT a POLL !!!!

[bigdjiver]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

Can't imagine that you'd have a computer without USB. Is it just that there's something already plugged into it?

If so, a quick trip down to your local PC World (or indeed, our local Tesco extra sells them) to purchase a USB 4-way hub for next to nothing would work...

I bought several from my local pound shop which work fine.