hard disk expanding

[Cheng Luo_1]

My computer space (20GB) is getting full. How much does it cost for a 20GB, or 40GB external disk that can link to HP laptop computer? Thanks! Cheng

[John Y]

Take a look here for prices and availability...............................

http://www.compusa.com/

http://www.microcenter.com/

[Ron Kinner · Accepted solution]

External Disks are usually USB which only works with win98SE and newer operating systems. Doesn't work with NT. Also the USB connector which probably came with your PC is only version 1.1 which is limited in speed. If you want to use an external USB disk you should also get a PCMCIA USB2.0 card. I got my card for under $50 and the harddrive (80G) was $100. Things have gotten a bit cheaper since then. Shop around. Some examples:

Pocketec Pockey DataStor Hard Drive 20G under $40 at Digitally Unique.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Hard%20Drives:t=browse;_ylt=AkGFLthVRA2mAYyOMPmTt2bLcDMB;_ylu=X3oDMTBrcWJya2xiBF9zAzIwMzU1NjczBHNlYwNibmF2


Iogear - GPU202 - 2-Port USB 2.0 PCMCIA Card for PC/MAC also under $40


http://shopping.yahoo.com/b_pcmcia-cards_20349359;_ylt=AtC8gWJP0UcP8kzcbyN4bySvgTYB;_ylu=X3oDMTBtMm1mcjN2BF9zAzIzNTAxMzc5BHNlYwNuYXJyb3c-?k=USB

I also bought an external CD burner (52X) from IOmagic which works on the other port of my USB PCMCIA. Love it.

Ron

[Sheldon Smith]

And note there is USB 2.0 and USB 2.0 *HI-SPEED* which is twice as fast as basic 2.0. Make sure there is a little red 'HI-SPEED' flag directly above the 'USB' logo on both the drive and the PCMCIA card.

See http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm, "What are USB Hi-Speed and USB Basic Speed logos?"

[Cheng Luo_1]

I want to have external HD because all my hurned CD can not be hold for more than3 monthes, they wether entirely partly crashed after 3 -6 month.

Do you have such experience?

Thanks

Cheng

[Ron Kinner]

My CD's last a long time. Perhaps you need a new burner or better quality CD blanks. Do you keep them in a protective wrapper? Also be careful what you write on them with. Some of the inks will destroy the backing of the CD and then they won't work. You should probably buy a CD marker pen. Search google for CD marker pen. There are lots of them out there.

Ron

[Petr Simik_1]

External disks are running up to 250GB. It is recomended to have USB2.0 in your laptop or Firewire port. Otherwise you have to purchase PCMCIA card with USB2.0 or FIREWIRE support. Than transfer speed is limited by PCMCIA interface.

Look at any computershop for external USB or Firewire disks there is many types and prices.