Can I use my old HD as a backup?

I've got this 40GB HD from my old laptop, and I was wondering if I could use it for backing up every now and then. I don't have that much stuff to back up, but it would be nice...

I've heard that I can do that with an enclosure, but that's all I know. I guess my main question is what kind of enclosure to get, which I know virtually nothing about.....

Oh, and will it still work if it's IDE? I think it is. I'm not planning to boot from it or anything, but just to be able to plug it in and back up. Would I have to boot with it plugged in to do this? Sorry, I have never done anything like this before, so.....

 

Yes you can. The enclosures are about $20.00 and just find the one that says 2.5" HDD enclosure. I got one at a local computer store.

 

Thanks! Will do. Can you plug it in while the computer is running and access it?

 

Yea, the enclosure basically makes it an external so it is hotswappable.

 

Make sure its an right plug eg.(IDE,SATA)

Im guessing your after a 2.5" IDE USB Enclosure

 

Yup. So can I just ask for that at whatever store I look at?

 

You can purchase it from a store, although buying it online should be cheaper. Also, you could purchase an enclosure with a network interface, so that you can use that HD as some sort of NAS. Just a suggestion.

 

NAS?

Ok, I'll check online. Thanks for the tip!

 

Network Adjacent Server?? Just guessing, so don't mind my stupidity. You can get a USB Enclosure for around $3 to $8 at newegg.

 

Sweeet!

Ok, wait! How do I know if it's 2.5" or 3.5"? I'm seeing both options. Is it the width of the thing? Can I just measure it?

Btw, on the back it says 5400RPM 40GB ATA/IDE, for what it's worth. So, assuming it is 2.5", would this one work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145329

Thanks again.

 

Sure would assuming you have a 2.5" IDE laptop drive.

the difference between 2.5" and 3.5" is quite big, you definately wont miss the size difference. If you can put it in your pocket easily then its a 2.5". Also 3.5" enclosures will require an external power source

 

That one does have an external power source, right? But I wouldn't need it, huh?

And the HD says ATA/IDE, so that would work, right?

 

If your HD came from a notebook, it will be 2.5" or smaller. If it came from a desktop PC, it will most likely be 3.5". 3.5" HD requires an external power supply, but 2.5" or below don't. If you purchase an enclosure which says it's Bus Powered (or USB(us) powered), you will not need an external power supply.

NAS stands for Network Attached Storage. The problem with those is that you will require an external power supply, as ethernet does not transfer power.

As mentioned before, what you need is a 2.5" ATA/IDE enclosure. If you want your HD to become mobile (i.e. you want to bring it with you on trips etc.), you should just get a 2.5" USB (or Firewire if your laptop supports it) enclosure.

 

Be carefully with the cheap enclosures from newegg. My last order (17-186-104) (SYBA3.5"COMBO EXT ENCLSR SY-U2F-3SL) (Quantity: 2 )
RMAReason: Defective/Failureof two) was a disaster but had good reviews.

You might want to scope out ones at big box stores, to see what your getting first, in your drive size.

 

NAS = Network Attached Storage

-J.B.

 

I have only ever used Icyboxes (for non-NAS externals) and none of them have failed me yet. Although there are much better brands out there, Icyboxes are pretty good value for money.

 

Thanks, everyone. I now know what to look for.