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Using a portable HD with a laptop

  • 16-09-2008 2:15pm
    #1
    BobbyOLeary
    Closed Accounts Posts: 859 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    I'm interested in buying a portable HDD for my laptop to expand my storage space. Currently I only have 80gb in total and I'm running out of space quite rapidly.

    After looking around I saw the Western Digital My Passport series, it looks pretty cool, comes in big enough sizes (250gb,320gb), connects purely via USB and is cheap enough.

    My question is though, will the power output of my laptop's usb port be enough to spin up the drive? I'd hate to shell out for the drive and only be able to use it with my desktop. Is there anyway I can check if my ports are producing enough power? Looking at the drive it doesn't seem to have an extra ac slot in case of low power usb connections.

    Will I be able to use it or should I just switch to another drive?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    I have 3 externals (500 gig each). They need a plug-in power source. Someone here will tell me if I am wrong but I think the larger the capacity, the larger the chances you need an external power source.

    I have come across small externals (60 to 80 gig) that could fit in the palm of your hand that work off the usb entirely. In each case though, what they will hold size-wise is small. If your going to be using it for holding video and playing them, your looking at something that needs to be plugged in probably, into a socket.

    Also some of the small usb powered, small size externals are as pricy as the larger capacity drives by the way. Just boils down to your priorities as to what you will go for.


  • #3
    BobbyOLeary
    Closed Accounts Posts: 859 ✭✭✭BobbyOLeary


    What I'm looking for is something I can use without having to plug it into a AC socket. There are several drives around with the capacity I want which claim to be purely usb powered but I'd like to be sure that the drive I buy will be usable on my laptop thats all.


  • #4
    Anti
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,401 ✭✭✭✭Anti


    Yes some drivers need an external AC power supply. But others do not. Check the spec of the drive and it will let you know.


  • #5
    kazzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 865 ✭✭✭kazzer


    The WD 320GB series works fine on a laptop. USB is a standard, so whether on a desktop or a laptop the voltage/current rating will always be the same


  • #6
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    If they say (on the box) the power from your usb port is sufficient, they are usually right. I have yet to come across a usb powered external drive that failed to be powered up by the usb port.

    I think your safe enough.


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  • #7
    cormie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,844 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    This was very tempting: http://www.ibood.com/site/eu/forum/index.php?action=vthread&forum=1&topic=23374

    Just not sure of the quality of the HD in it though. Unfortunately, it was only on sale for 24hrs :(


  • #8
    BobbyOLeary
    Closed Accounts Posts: 859 ✭✭✭BobbyOLeary


    Thanks kazzer, do you own one? Did it work on your own laptop?


  • #9
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    cormie wrote: »
    This was very tempting: http://www.ibood.com/site/eu/forum/index.php?action=vthread&forum=1&topic=23374

    Just not sure of the quality of the HD in it though. Unfortunately, it was only on sale for 24hrs :(

    Looks the job. I have a Freecom external and it works fine. No complaints about them here.


  • #10
    kazzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 865 ✭✭✭kazzer


    Yeah, just use it on my laptop. I know laptops have power schemes, but I dont think it switches off the usb ports, either way you can override the power scheme. The drive is small and very fast. Although mine is clicking now after only after couple of months! But I do recommend the drive.


  • #11
    BobbyOLeary
    Closed Accounts Posts: 859 ✭✭✭BobbyOLeary


    Grand, thanks a million guys. I'll take a trip to PC World and see if they'll let me try it out on my laptop anyhow.

    Thanks again guys.


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  • #12
    kazzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 865 ✭✭✭kazzer


    Look Bob it WILL work, dont be so paranoid! :)


  • #13
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    kazzer wrote: »
    Look Bob it WILL work, dont be so paranoid! :)

    I agree. :)
    If I was you. I'd worry not.


  • #14
    Voodu Child
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    The WD passports are good, no problem recommending them. There shouldn't be a problem powering them from a USB port.

    At the moment, they go up to 320Gb, though a 500Gb model is already shipping, should be available shortly.

    You could also updgrade your laptops HD. Assuming your laptop takes a standard 2.5" sata, you could put a 250 or 320 Gb HD in there for under €100. (And keep the current 80Gb as a external backup.)

    Whatever you do, as you expand storage, bear in mind that you should keep at least one backup copy of all important data.


  • #15
    MunsterCycling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,864 ✭✭✭MunsterCycling


    kazzer wrote: »
    Yeah, just use it on my laptop. I know laptops have power schemes, but I dont think it switches off the usb ports, either way you can override the power scheme. The drive is small and very fast. Although mine is clicking now after only after couple of months! But I do recommend the drive.


    Get the data off the drive fast unless you can afford to lose info

    MC


  • #16
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    kazzer wrote: »
    ...Although mine is clicking now after only after couple of months!

    Once you hear the clicking, its not a good sign. I'd back-up now. Sooner or later it will fail. I've had drives (to repair) go like this before.
    Your lucky you can still hear the clicking - and its still working!


  • #17
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    MunsterCycling wrote: »
    Get the data off the drive fast unless you can afford to lose info

    MC
    Biggins wrote: »
    Once you hear the clicking, its not a good sign. I'd back-up now. Sooner or later it will fail. I've had drives (to repair) go like this before.
    Your lucky you can still hear the clicking - and its still working!

    What they said. Back up the data now.

    @Bobby - The WD Passport range are quite good and they do not require an external power source.


  • #18
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    ...as long as your USB 2.0 - 1.1 wont supply enough power afaik.


  • #19
    Gadgetman496
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,423 ✭✭✭Gadgetman496


    Some of the USB powered only drives actually come with a dual split USB cable to give extra power to the drive like the Dane-Elec Laptop drives.

    But as was stated earlier, if it's packaged as USB only powered & you have USB 2.0 you should be fine.


    The USB Spec requires that devices draw no more than 500mA of power from the USB port. They are only permitted to draw this amount of power after they have been configured. See Chapter 7 of the USB spec for the complete list of power requirements (ie, suspend current, and non-configured limitations).


    You can get the spec from HERE



    -

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



  • #20
    kazzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 865 ✭✭✭kazzer


    Eh sh!t, so clicking means its dying?! Its not critical stuff on the drive, just videos for playing on the laptop that are stored on the desktop but thanks for the tip guys.


  • #21
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    kazzer wrote: »
    Eh sh!t, so clicking means its dying?! Its not critical stuff on the drive, just videos for playing on the laptop that are stored on the desktop but thanks for the tip guys.

    The clicking you hear is the arm(s) that stretch across the cylinders and read the internal discs using their heads which bend downwards. Basically, like the arm of the old LP Record players and its downward reading needle.
    The clicking is the heads at the end of the arms, hitting off the discs more so than they should be. This WILL eventually cause un-repairable damage both to the heads and the spinning discs. Thus any stored info will not be able to be transferred back to you pc/laptop.

    Get your stuff off it now while you can if you want to keep it.


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