View Full Version : External 400gb Hard Drive
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/images/255541_01_huge.jpg
EXTERNAL 400GB HARD DRIVE £129.99 [was £149 when posted]
Packard Bell - Store and Save
3.5" External Hard Drive
Massive 400Gb Storage Capacity
7200 rpm Spindle Speed
8Mb Buffer Cache
Slim and Compact Design
Silent Operation
Lightweight and easily transportable
Includes Data Secure Backup Software
£129.99
for reference, ebuyer do an external 400GB for £178
copy "255541" and paste into the search box on the PC World (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/pan/TrackerServlet?p=1078&a=60823&g=19560&url=http://www.pcworld.co.uk/product.php?sku=255541) site if the link doesn't go straight to it.
Not sure if its a hitachi or seagate inside... either way its cheap
PC World (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/pan/TrackerServlet?p=1078&a=60823&g=19560&url=http://www.pcworld.co.uk/product.php?sku=255541)
raymondlin
12-02-2006, 02:41
the prices for these things are dropping like flies !
is this usb2 or firewire ?
is this usb2 or firewire ?
It says USB2 on the specifications page - there is no mention of firewire.
Crazyp
Steviecox
12-02-2006, 09:15
Seems about wright really, as you can buy say an Icydock Ext Enclosure and add say a Maxtor 400GB Drive for £150 from the usual internet suspects.
Just that these things have been overpriced for a while.
Waiting for the network attached ones to come down :)
Thanks OP. Literally just been looking around various sites for a new external hard drive before I came here. This will do the job. Thanks !
Scan have a 320Gb Toshiba for £99 (inc) - go through the todayonly link
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=347460
SpaceCoyote
12-02-2006, 11:52
Has the Scan one gone, it comes up as £109 for me?
How do we feel about the reliability of this drive in this enclosure?
I know there was a big thumbs up for the Amazon Western Digital 320MB one recently.
Above and beyond all else, reliability must be tops with these things.
ESP and I know what people think about Packard Bell PC's and the way they are put together :(
MuppetUK
12-02-2006, 13:13
Can anyone reveal what HDD Manufacturer is used in these?
Has the Scan one gone, it comes up as £109 for me?
It's £109 normally - if you go to www.scan.co.uk/todayonly it is £99 - but
you can't link to individual items on todayonly!
Delivery is ussually around £7 from scan.
stormywhether
12-02-2006, 14:28
just been up and down that list and can only see Maxtor drives. Where's the Tosh in relation to that on the todayonly page?
jimmy101
12-02-2006, 14:55
just been up and down that list and can only see Maxtor drives. Where's the Tosh in relation to that on the todayonly page?
Under the number 12 heading "weekend super saver", 3rd item down
320Gb Toshiba USB2 External Hard Drive 7200rpm 8M Cache £84.99 £99.86
stormywhether
12-02-2006, 19:11
ah ok gotcha! nice one. good price that.
Does this have an internal PSU, or one of those crappy external bricks?
stormywhether
13-02-2006, 08:19
have ordered one of them Tosh 320gb hdd from scan - too good a price to miss out on, a good 50 less than the 400.
And another drive just ordered from Scan too. Good price, half the price of the same drive at PC World.
Kevin.
Have to say, I was impressed with Scan.
Ordered it at 11am this morning and it has shipped for delivery tomorrow.
They e-mailed me every step of the way from order through to despatch.
I think they have earned themselves a few more orders from me.
Kevin.
khuatcuong
13-02-2006, 17:13
very good service from scan :)
jroadley
13-02-2006, 19:11
And another drive just ordered from Scan too. Good price, half the price of the same drive at PC World.
Kevin.
Just ordered the drive from Scan... :thumbs:
Harold1066
13-02-2006, 19:17
LaCie 300728EK 250GB 7200rpm External USB 2.0 Hard Drive Design by F.A Porsche
Ebuyer has the above HHD for £84.85 and I don't think I really need a 320Gb.
Does anyone know how good this drive is?
Geo
stormywhether
13-02-2006, 19:21
!?!?!?
ordered at 8am this morning and my order aint even at Stage 3!!!
How can someone order it 3 hours later and have it shipped already?
Not exactly cheap delivery is it?
Rubbish!
LaCie 300728EK 250GB 7200rpm External USB 2.0 Hard Drive Design by F.A Porsche
Ebuyer has the above HHD for £84.85 and I don't think I really need a 320Gb.
Does anyone know how good this drive is?
Geo
Look of the draw - if it has a seagate drive OK, if it has a maxtor Oh dear.
They have reports of problems overheating, depends on what you using it for, backups or running an AV server 24/7.
!?!?!?
ordered at 8am this morning and my order aint even at Stage 3!!!
How can someone order it 3 hours later and have it shipped already?
Not exactly cheap delivery is it?
Rubbish!
They mostly deal with business customers - there customer service is very good, excellent with returns and work are ussually paying fro the delivery!
stormywhether
13-02-2006, 20:42
oh i see - you get your work to pay eh? nice one!
LaCie 300728EK 250GB 7200rpm External USB 2.0 Hard Drive Design by F.A Porsche
Ebuyer has the above HHD for £84.85 and I don't think I really need a 320Gb.
Does anyone know how good this drive is?
Geo
Just bagged one from Staples in store last week for £79.99
With their returns policy you can try it,if it ain't a Seagate,return it and try again! ;)
The one I got was a Seagate ST3250823A which is an ATA100 7200rpm drive with 8mb cache :)
Ordered the £99 320gb drive from Scan yesterday and its registering as being on the courier van for delivery today. Thanks to the OP :)
I ordered the Scan one yesterday as well. Just unpacking it now. Thanks to the OP.
Is this still available.....can't find it anywhere on Scan??
Is this still available.....can't find it anywhere on Scan??
It was in 'Today only' over the weekend. It is still there but is now back at their normal price. Search for product code px1223e.
The_Chinaman
14-02-2006, 12:13
for info, the PCworld 400gig model is a seagate drive. ST something or other.
My Toshiba one from Scan has a Western Digital hdd in it.
Got mine today (Toshiba from scan), thanks OP
Can anyone who's got one tell me how long it takes to transfer 1gb of data to the toshiba, 'cos it's taking about 70 seconds to do so on mine. The manual says it should take 18 seconds!!
My USB's are 2.0
cheers
for info, the PCworld 400gig model is a seagate drive. ST something or other.
Can anyone report on reliability of the PCworld drive, as may pick one up tomorrow.
Got mine today (Toshiba from scan), thanks OP
Can anyone who's got one tell me how long it takes to transfer 1gb of data to the toshiba, 'cos it's taking about 70 seconds to do so on mine. The manual says it should take 18 seconds!!
My USB's are 2.0
cheers
18 seconds per Gb of data transfer is the theoretical transfer rate.
USB 2 is 480mbits/sec or 60Mb/sec (or 1Gb in about 17.5 seconds, as per manual). HOWEVER this is the burst speed max throughput. Sustained data transfer rate will never be anywhere near as high as 480 mbits/sec.
70 seconds/Gb is about the best you will get, and is roughly what I get on my other USB 2 drive.
Welcome to the world of lies, damn lies and statistics :thinking:
Kevin.
18 seconds per Gb of data transfer is the theoretical transfer rate.
USB 2 is 480mbits/sec or 60Mb/sec (or 1Gb in about 17.5 seconds, as per manual). HOWEVER this is the burst speed max throughput. Sustained data transfer rate will never be anywhere near as high as 480 mbits/sec.
70 seconds/Gb is about the best you will get, and is roughly what I get on my other USB 2 drive.
Welcome to the world of lies, damn lies and statistics :thinking:
Kevin.
Noooooo! :cry: My world is falling down around me :cry:
Thanks for explaining that tho, i thought my USB's were malfunctioning!
McPastry
14-02-2006, 17:04
Can you take the PB HD out of the enclosure and hook it up to an internal IDE?
winkiwin
14-02-2006, 17:49
by coincidence .
i ran (last week) hdtach on my usb 250 gig ext and it ran at 8mb/s , i just uupgraded to a64 and new MB and it now runs at 12mb/s.
is within 3% of my other 250gb and both a year old
I've just picked up one of the 400GB Packard Bell external drives that I reserved at my local PC World store earlier. I got it for the bargain price of £129.99 which is the current web price.
Cracking bit of kit for the money. Only had time to unpack it but it looks very nice. The only gripe I have at the moment is that it is an external power block.
Still excellent value for money, even the salesperson was surprised when he saw the price it was reserved at.
Big :thumbs: to the OP for this one.
Wow glad i held off....have just put in a reserve and collect.....130 quid is a total bargain!!
Excellent, Just reserved a 400GB one from PC world at £129.99 myself.
Gonna go pick up later tonight.
At last I can clean off all the tat from my hard drive :)
Thanks to OP :thumbs:
(My God This is a EXPENSIVE month for me) :doh: :doh: :doh:
Da Outsider
15-02-2006, 18:32
Noice. £117 delivered w/ 5% voucher and cashback. Cheers OP :thumbs:
Noice. £117 delivered w/ 5% voucher and cashback. Cheers OP :thumbs:
Are PC World doing free delivery at the mo ?
Da Outsider
15-02-2006, 19:24
Are PC World doing free delivery at the mo ?
Crap. I actually meant £117 for collecting @ store. Would be £122 delivered :doh:
Crap. I actually meant £117 for collecting @ store. Would be £122 delivered :doh:
That sounds more like it :)
Have you tried using the "collect at store" feature ? You cannot use coupons and collect at store. You can only use coupons for delivery items.
But it still makes it £122 delivered or £123.41 for collect at store (using ******).
Good price though. Very tempted, you can never had too much HD space.
Kevin.
whats the cashback is that with a certain credit card or using ********** ?
Just got mine up and running, Nice metal case, nicely made, right next to my ear and can just hear a little drive noise, but that's in a totally silent room. It's actually very quiet.
My only question...........
It's pre formatted Fat32.
I think I should re format it NTFS don't you?
Otherwise I'm not going to be able to save any BIG files on it am I ?
MuppetUK
15-02-2006, 23:37
Anyone have any idea what make/manufacturer hdd is in this product?
MuppetUK,
My device manager reports an ST340083 2A which according to a google search is a 400GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM with 8MB cache.
Mine seems nice and fast just shifted 5.5gb of stuff in under 3 minutes which seems very good to me :) It is also very quiet and looks nice and stylish.
Well pleased with mine even at £129.99 as I didn't use/know of any discounts.
MuppetUK
15-02-2006, 23:47
Seagate v nice
http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/discsales/marketing/detail/0,1081,626,00.html spec sheet
Anyone know how many years warranty is offered by Packard Bell? (Although I wonder if people could get away with using seagate serial numbers on any RMA past 1 year)
I would imagine the drives would be OEM to PB so probably only covered by 1 year.
Nice if it qualified for 3 years though. I don't fancy taking mine apart to get the serial number to check. I wonder if theres a way to do it in Windows as I can't see Seatools detecting a USB drive?
I could be wrong. Just haven't got a clue where I put all my floppy diagnostic tools, I haven't used them for so long.
Just got mine up and running, Nice metal case, nicely made, right next to my ear and can just hear a little drive noise, but that's in a totally silent room. It's actually very quiet.
My only question...........
It's pre formatted Fat32.
I think I should re format it NTFS don't you?
Otherwise I'm not going to be able to save any BIG files on it am I ?
No need to reformat.Just do a convert (Assuming you are running Win 2k or XP)
1. Go to a command prompt (Click Start, and then run and type cmd followed by enter)
2. Type in convert x: /fs:ntfs followed by enter (Note x is the drive letter of your usb2 hard drive)
It's worth closing down any open sessions of windows explorer that you may have open (Assuming they are connected to the external hard drive)
Good luck :)
Nick
I actually did a fresh format within XP (I know if you actually read some msoft stuff there can be tech issues with converting)
Note to self for future:
Don't start formatting late at night as formatting a 400GB hard drive takes one hell of a long time!!!!
Done now though.
One question re this 400GB Drive.
I've noticed (when turned on) every (approx) 5 mins it starts up and does some whirrs and clicks etc for about 40 seconds.
This normal, and any ideas why?
Is windows up to something?
MuppetUK
16-02-2006, 01:34
Can anyone reference the warranty documents that came with the product and tell us how long the warranty is?
Thats a damn good price on that Packard Bell model. The bare drive alone is over 150 quid elsewhere on the net from a quick look about.
emeyedeejay
16-02-2006, 06:29
I actually did a fresh format within XP (I know if you actually read some msoft stuff there can be tech issues with converting)
Note to self for future:
Don't start formatting late at night as formatting a 400GB hard drive takes one hell of a long time!!!!
Done now though.
That's what the "Quick Format" option is for :D
Can anyone reference the warranty documents that came with the product and tell us how long the warranty is?
Mine are at home but I will have a look tonight when I get home.
Damn, could have gotten an extra 80gig space for just £30? Didnt know the pc world one was coming down in price :(.
Still im happy with my Toshiba 320gb. Ive used up half of it already :)
agent007
16-02-2006, 09:05
(Although I wonder if people could get away with using seagate serial numbers on any RMA past 1 year)
Sadlly, I doubt it. Just had a Seagate RMA declined for a drive less than 2 years old because it was an OEM. :cry:
paul walker
16-02-2006, 10:36
Great buy,
many thanks
Paul
Picked one up today, thanks.
I just went and picked one up too. I was needing something to make backups to, after learning the hard way how disastrous a hard drive failure can be...
sorry to be of the topic a bit but how do i check how much warranty is left as my WD, as it is about to go bang from all the funky clicking :-(
Can anyone (who has also just got one of these 400mb babies) answer my question from earlier.
About every 5 mins there is about 40 seconds (approx) of disk activity, then nothing for 5 mins, then another 40 seconds of something going on... etc etc etc...............
It has to be really quiet for you to hear anything I know, so perhaps someone can answer this later on tonight when it's really quiet indoors?
Just need to know if they all do this (the drive checking itself) or cos it's USB2, or if it's MY windows up to something I can stop.
Thanks.
Here's direct links for warranty checkers:
Western Digital (http://websupport.wdc.com/warranty/serialinput.asp?custtype=end&requesttype=warranty&lang=en)
Maxtor (https://www4.maxtor.com/en/support/service/rma/create/)
Seagate (http://support.seagate.com/customer/warranty_validation.jsp)
You'll have to pay postage (£8) to send your old one back though to Eire(maxtor), Germany (WD) or Netherlands (Seagate).
Then you have a few weeks wait unless you use "advanced replacement".
That's where you give them your card details and they send a replacement out immediately.
They only charge your card if you don't send the dead one back within a month.
What is the 5% discount code?
About every 5 mins there is about 40 seconds (approx) of disk activity, then nothing for 5 mins, then another 40 seconds of something going on... etc etc etc...............
Thanks.
Not encountered it on mine? It is very quiet but I am pretty sure it doesn't spin down and then startup again (not that I've noticed) Even when I go to acces the drive it is quick and the folders are there instantly with no delay or lag. The only activity I can hear is when I am writing stuff to the drive.
Maybe you've got a bad one or your USB ports are configure properly or maybe not USB 2.0?
Not encountered it on mine? It is very quiet but I am pretty sure it doesn't spin down and then startup again (not that I've noticed) Even when I go to acces the drive it is quick and the folders are there instantly with no delay or lag. The only activity I can hear is when I am writing stuff to the drive.
Maybe you've got a bad one or your USB ports are configure properly or maybe not USB 2.0?
No, sorry I did not make it clear.
It does not spin down, it's spinning all the time when it's powered up by the switch at the back.
It's just doing a little accessing (as I said for about 30 - 40 seconds) every 5 ish minutes.
It's working fine, and always accessable. No problems.
But as I said, it's very quiet, so perhaps not everyone will notice it.
All my USB Ports are USB2 & if there is any way to configure them differently I'd be happy to know. They just work.
Has anybody else received one of these with an incorrect power cable ? Probably just me knowing my luck :(
Has anybody else received one of these with an incorrect power cable ? Probably just me knowing my luck :(
What actually wrong?
On mine you have the plug in the wall which ends in a 2 socket plug.
This 2 socket plug then plugs into the small power brick.
The power brick (the other end) has a DIN type looking plug which actually plugs into the Drive itself.
Just turned my drive on again tonight and watched the clock to time it.
Listening close the the drive. (It's spinning all the time of course)
Exactly every 5 mins it starts accessing the disk (reading or writing I've no idea) for 1 minute 10 seconds. then the accessing stops for another 5 mins, and so on.
I'm thinking this may be totally normal and it's just checking things/housekeeping.
Seeing as many here have bought them, I'm hoping perhaps a few people can listen very carefully to there drives tonight and let me know if there units are doing the same.
Much appreciated.
spinynorman
16-02-2006, 18:17
Thanks OP :thumbs: :notworthy
Ordered one for pickup tomorrow.
smiddyboy
16-02-2006, 18:32
Cheers to the OP. Bagged one of these.
Just trippled my capacity on the cheap!
Just turned my drive on again tonight and watched the clock to time it.
Listening close the the drive. (It's spinning all the time of course)
Exactly every 5 mins it starts accessing the disk (reading or writing I've no idea) for 1 minute 10 seconds. then the accessing stops for another 5 mins, and so on.
I'm thinking this may be totally normal and it's just checking things/housekeeping.
Seeing as many here have bought them, I'm hoping perhaps a few people can listen very carefully to there drives tonight and let me know if there units are doing the same.
Much appreciated.
Just a thought but do you have anything like Google Desktop or Picasa or similar installed? These sort of programs periodically check for new data to put in their search index from all connected drives. Maybe something like that is spinning up the disk. I know my USB disk spins down if there's no access for a while and then starts up when I access it (leads to a slight delay in data access).
You could try looking for a bit of software which controls the spindown of the hard disk (usually you need to put it on an IDE cable to access this feature) as I know there is one for IBM/Hitachi drives, maybe similar available for the Seagates too.
Just a thought but do you have anything like Google Desktop or Picasa or similar installed? These sort of programs periodically check for new data to put in their search index from all connected drives. Maybe something like that is spinning up the disk. I know my USB disk spins down if there's no access for a while and then starts up when I access it (leads to a slight delay in data access).
You could try looking for a bit of software which controls the spindown of the hard disk (usually you need to put it on an IDE cable to access this feature) as I know there is one for IBM/Hitachi drives, maybe similar available for the Seagates too.
Thanks for the advice. I think all the people who have bought and installed this drive have gone into hibernation!!! :thinking:
I've not got either of those two apps and I'm trying to think of anything I do have that would access a drive every 5 mins to do something.
Can't really think of anything myself at the moment. I was wondering if it could be something in XP Itself that was doing it?
If it is a XP thing, then I'm guessing it won't just be my machine it's happening on. Hopefully some other users will come on later to let me know.
It's not spun down yet, well, it won't while it's accessed every 5 mins (by something)
emeyedeejay
16-02-2006, 19:09
Thanks OP :thumbs: :notworthy
Ordered one for pickup tomorrow.
What spinynorman said ... :thumbs:
Picked up mine just now. :) It's a Seagate as previously reported. Am in the midst of formatting/repartitioning it at the moment. Rather quiet! :)
MuppetUK
16-02-2006, 20:06
Packard Bells warranty on this is only 1 year, which is useless when Consumer Act means we can go to retailer within 1st year for repair/replacement.
But I'm gambling on Seagates reliability that it will last as I'm lazy and want the convienence.
£11 more gets u a hdd only (no external casing etc) direct purchase from Seagate with 5 year warranty by the way.
18 seconds per Gb of data transfer is the theoretical transfer rate.
USB 2 is 480mbits/sec or 60Mb/sec (or 1Gb in about 17.5 seconds, as per manual). HOWEVER this is the burst speed max throughput. Sustained data transfer rate will never be anywhere near as high as 480 mbits/sec.
70 seconds/Gb is about the best you will get, and is roughly what I get on my other USB 2 drive.
Welcome to the world of lies, damn lies and statistics :thinking:
Kevin.
As a follow up to this.........
I transferred 27.3 GB of various video files from my PC to my Packard Bell 400GB drive. (sizes varied between whole CD size files down to a few MB)
It took 19.5 mins to copy the 27.3GB over.
19.5 mins = 1170 seconds.
1170 / 27.3 = 42.85 Seconds per Gigabyte.
This seems to be performing well, or a LOT better than above quote of 70 Secs/Gb.
Ok, the one I picked up today doesn't appear to actually do anything when I plug it in and connect it to my PC!
Is the clear plastic bit on one corner of the power adapter supposed to light up when plugged in? I'm guessing that no power is getting to the drive, because when I switch it on it does nothing. Looks like I might have to make another journey out to PC World...
Ok, the one I picked up today doesn't appear to actually do anything when I plug it in and connect it to my PC!
Is the clear plastic bit on one corner of the power adapter supposed to light up when plugged in? I'm guessing that no power is getting to the drive, because when I switch it on it does nothing. Looks like I might have to make another journey out to PC World...
Seems like everyone has deserted this thread for the time being.
(Although I fully understand that this "Talk about the product" should really be in the computing forum - though not sure how it would be moved and still link to the Bargain)
But that aside.
Yes, It's a green LED which lights up when you plug it into your wall socket.
So, sorry, yes, looks like you are not getting any power :(
Just a thought, has the plug got a fuse you could check?
always poss may be just a duff fuse, and save yourself a journey.
Yes, It's a green LED which lights up when you plug it into your wall socket.
So, sorry, yes, looks like you are not getting any power :(
Just a thought, has the plug got a fuse you could check?
always poss may be just a duff fuse, and save yourself a journey.
No, I used another plug that definitely works, but still no power. Thanks for the info anyway. Ah well, the bargain will get a bit more expensive with the petrol costs involved! Still worth it, I think.
As I've not (so far) had any replies to my "does you'rs make access noises and do something every 5 to 6 mins question" had not yet been answered.
I gave up and started to experiment.
I connected the USB Lead onto my Laptop, it found a new USB device, etc etc etc, blah blah....... and worked fine.
Guess what, yes, the same accessing (drive doing something) for exactly 70 seconds every 5 to 6 mins, whilst connected to the laptop.
Final test, I actually pulled out the USB Plug and just left it on the chair, so the drive was only connected to power (no signals possible from anything connected)
and guess what.
Yup, exactly the same, every 5 - 6 mins the drive does some accessing (housekeeping/call it what you will) noises for exaclty 70 seconds.
So, now at least I know it's nothing on my main PC which is actually polling the drive or anything. It's something it's doing itself.
Why, I don't know. I guess it's the controlling circuitry doing/checking something.
when people reading this, get theirs up and running (which for many seems like it will be tomorrow night)
I'd appreciate confirmation your drives do the same.
It performs well, it's quiet and it's a bargain.
I'd like like to know the behaviour (accessing for no apparent reason) is normal to the operation of this unit.
Thanks in advance :)
I'm thinking of going for this drive. Can anyone tell me:
- is there a way to tell the drive manufacturer from the box?
- is it truly plug and play? No drivers or install disks
- how does the drive power down - suppose not with the pc but on a switch - where is the switch?
Cheers
I'm thinking of going for this drive. Can anyone tell me:
- is there a way to tell the drive manufacturer from the box?
- is it truly plug and play? No drivers or install disks
- how does the drive power down - suppose not with the pc but on a switch - where is the switch?
Cheers
1, I believe they are all fitted with Seagate 400GB 7200RPM 8MB cache drives. No signs on the box as far as I am aware.
2, On Windows XP all I did was plug it in and it found new hardware and set it up as a hard disk on the next drive letter available. I did do a quick format in NTFS as it came preformatted in Fat32.
3, There is a switch at the back of the unit for power. I have to keep remembering to turn it off :)
Tempest,
I am actually just checking mine now for you.
I have lifted it on top of my desk as it was sat below on my tower, and I am waiting to see if starts accessing the drive. Up to now I have had no activity I can hear but its only been about 2 minutes I will report back in 10 minutes or so with my findings.
I am keeping an eye on the red access light for activity as it is very difficult to hear over my PC fans.
EDIT
Well at 12.15am it starrted to make a whirring noise with a light scraping / clunking sound for about a minute. The weird thing was the activity light never lit up?
I am just hanging on for 12.20am to see if it does it again. It is very quiet though and I nearly missed it. I only noticed as I put my ear near the casing which isn't a good idea as they do get quite hot :)
EDIT 2
At approx 12.21am it has started again. The odd bit of clunking but it is definitely doing something with the drive. Still no red activity LED though?
It seems you are right mate but I had to wait for everybody to go to bed and lift it on my desk before I could even notice it?
Must be some kind of maintenance on the drive?
Cheers.
DarthVader
16-02-2006, 23:21
There is more information available on the drive here (on the Packard Bell website):
http://service.packardbell.co.uk/items/?PibItemNr=platform_storesave#show
Tempest,
I am actually just checking mine now for you.
I have lifted it on top of my desk as it was sat below on my tower, and I am waiting to see if starts accessing the drive. Up to now I have had no activity I can hear but its only been about 2 minutes I will report back in 10 minutes or so with my findings.
I am keeping an eye on the red access light for activity as it is very difficult to hear over my PC fans.
EDIT
Well at 12.15am it starrted to make a whirring noise with a light scraping / clunking sound for about a minute. The weird thing was the activity light never lit up?
I am just hanging on for 12.20am to see if it does it again. It is very quiet though and I nearly missed it. I only noticed as I put my ear near the casing which isn't a good idea as they do get quite hot :)
EDIT 2
At approx 12.21am it has started again. The odd bit of clunking but it is definitely doing something with the drive. Still no red activity LED though?
It seems you are right mate but I had to wait for everybody to go to bed and lift it on my desk before I could even notice it?
Must be some kind of maintenance on the drive?
Cheers.
Many thanks for that.
I was wondering if anyone was going to reply to my question about this, so a big :thumbs: for you.....
As you say, if it were on the ground, or newt to your PC, you may not hear this, I have it on my desk and the area my PC is in, it REALLY silent esp at night, plus my PC is quiet anyway so I can hear mine resonably easily.
As you say, the activity LED does not come on, so it's not actually doing something as it would be when YOU are accessing it.
I can only assume (for some reason) the electronics are set to do "Something" or check "Something" every 5 to 6 mins for 70 secs.
Just seemed a little odd, but as far as I know it may be something that's needed due to it being on USB2.
Just wanted to clarify it was normal behaviour, and I'm sure now that others will find the same thing happening later tonight when they get theirs.
Anyone tried using this with xbox360? Would be so cool to have all pictures/music/movies on there anf be able to view them from 360!
stormywhether
17-02-2006, 09:36
Just booted up the Tosh from Scan and it's freakin awesome!
Both good deals, thanks for both OPs for setting the fires alight
DarthVader
17-02-2006, 13:02
In reference to the Packard Bell deal could any of the purchasers tell me if it appears to be easy enough to switch around the hard drives inside? I am thinking of buying one, taking out the 400gb and put a 120gb in its place.
Tim Hill
17-02-2006, 16:11
Delighted with my Toshiba from Scan - thanks to poster of the Scan tip.
In reference to the Packard Bell deal could any of the purchasers tell me if it appears to be easy enough to switch around the hard drives inside? I am thinking of buying one, taking out the 400gb and put a 120gb in its place.
Yup. We took one apart just now to have a look see.
DarthVader
17-02-2006, 17:02
Yup. We took one apart just now to have a look see.
Cheers. :thumbs:
Would putting a Wireless USB 2.0 Network Adapter (like this (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006374PK/thedvdforums-21) one) in the back give me wireless access to the drive ?
Scott C R
17-02-2006, 18:38
Nope, This External Drive is for plugging into your PC only. You would need either a Wireless storage device or a Wireless Router that allows you attach an external USB Hard Drive. Network vendors like Netgear, Linksys, make Wireless Storage solutions.
Can anyone tell me what type of port for power connection on the external box is? Is it the normal 2 or 3 pins or multi-pins?
Thanks!
Can anyone tell me what type of port for power connection on the external box is? Is it the normal 2 or 3 pins or multi-pins?
Thanks!
Depends what you mean by external box.
You have your mains 13 am plug which ends in a 2 prong plug.
This plugs into the small power brick.
The power brick wire has a multi pin plug (like a small version of an old DIN plug) which plugs into the actual drive unit.
Hope that helps.
P.S.
Can anyone who's got theirs up and running tonight have a close listen and see if their's is also making 70 second long access sounds every 5 to 6 minutes.
Cheers.
Thanks tempest. I meant the port on the drive unit (as you said it is multi-pin port).
Can anyone tell me what type of port for power connection on the external box is? Is it the normal 2 or 3 pins or multi-pins?
Thanks!
The DC connection that the drive uses is a 4 pin din plug.
Just a note to say (as more appropriate place to ask) I have posted a request for the accessing query on the computing forum here :)
http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=6163900#post6163900
I took the lid off mine, and heres a few pics
http://www.redrobe.com/gallery/photos.php?galleryid=1
Tony Ferrino
18-02-2006, 11:12
Bad news (for me particularly, I'd held off until today).
It's up to £139.99 web price now, so another tenner. Still a bargain though.
I took the lid off mine, and heres a few pics
http://www.redrobe.com/gallery/photos.php?galleryid=1
MY GOD...........
You mean there's a Tin of Coke inside it :eek: :eek: :eek:
Thanks for the pics :thumbs:
Though why someone wants to take apart what they've just bought is beyond me :nuts:
ooo, seagate... if only i had £140.
This is what credit cards were invented for ;)
This is what credit cards were invented for ;)
you need credit actually on them :p
iainkirk
18-02-2006, 15:45
I got a 250GB Buffalo LinkStation NAS drive for £100 from ebuyer last weekend.
It's a cracker AND it talks directly to my Pinnacle ShowCenter as well - no more PC-running-at-snails-pace when someone's using my ShowCenter now!!
I guess it was a mis-price as they're over £200 again now!
Purpledump
19-02-2006, 12:31
A side question about the the Toshiba one from scan for those who got one - does it use an external power block, or is it internal?
A side question about the the Toshiba one from scan for those who got one - does it use an external power block, or is it internal?
It's an external power supply. But the drive itself is extremely nice. Very quiet. If the price comes back down again to £99, I will be getting another one.
Kevin.
markabuckley
19-02-2006, 13:42
Mikerr - thanks for posting the photos - can I ask - does it say in the photo 7200.8 ?
I'm presuming it has the standard IDE and PC 4 pin power connector ? I'm thinking of buying one and using as an internal drive ... seems cheap for 400 gig.
Mark.
Yes, its the 7200.8 IDE version,
ebuyer are selling the bare drive for £152:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?product_uid=95630
P.S.
Can anyone who's got theirs up and running tonight have a close listen and see if their's is also making 70 second long access sounds every 5 to 6 minutes.
Cheers.
Cheers OP, picked one up on Friday.
Tempest - Mine also seems to check the drive as described above. I have a feeling its related to the USB polling devices. My other drive does something similar.
Bought the Packard Bell at PC World today for £139.99 - Connected it to my computer but nothing, attached it to another USB port and still the same thing despite the light coming on...! Check the power supply and realised that it had overheated (despite being on for less than 2 minutes!!) the power cord was also extremely hot...! Unplugged it as it smelt like it was burning...Oddly enough the power supply is still extremely hot 10 minutes later....! Should I chance a second one?
id go for another, just for the drive. if it does the same, break it open and keep the 400gb seagate :D
Thanks I think I will do.....!!!!
Plugged it back in and it seems to be working.....!
Bad news my packard bell 400gb fell off a chair over christmas and died.
What would be the best way for returning this ?
Via Pc World or remove the drive and check on seagate site for RMA ?
Dont forget the iomega 500gb for £120 at Staples.
I got one and its also a Seagate.
fingers_fidge
30-12-2006, 14:55
Just had a look on the PC World Web Site and found the following
Packard Bell 500 gb External Drive - 123.74
Packard Bell - Store and Save
- 3.5" External Hard Drive
- Massive 500GB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm Spindle Speed
- 8Mb Buffer Cache
- Slim and Compact Design
- Silent Operation
- Lightweight and easily transportable
- Includes Data Secure Backup Software
Ordered on Line to pick up from the localshop. Seems an excellent price.
Anyone know if this will have a Seagate Hard Drive ?
Cheers
Dont forget the iomega 500gb for £120 at Staples.
I got one and its also a Seagate.
Yo lazyboy, where's that? Can't find it on the website ... ;)
Staples website doesnt list much of the stuff in the shops. Its a normal line, not clearance or anything.
OK thanks, I'll check it out tomorrow. :thumbs:
Checked it out at Staples, was £150-odd, Packard Bell 500gig at PCW now back up to £160.
Drat and double drat. :razz:
Good news PC World swapped my 400 gb for Packard Bell 500 gb External Drive
emeyedeejay
04-01-2007, 16:41
Good news PC World swapped my 400 gb for Packard Bell 500 gb External Drive
Did you tell them you dropped it? :suspect:
I'll give this a bump:
2 years since the Bargain was posted and 1 year since the last posting :)
Are everyone's drives still working fine?
Must admit, I've hardly used mine, and it's probably only run for 10 hours since I bought it almost 2 years ago.
Due to the lack of use (just sitting there) I'm thinking about removing it from it's box and fitting it into my spare machine and a nice large Hard Drive.
It is IDE isn't it? And quite a good drive?
Anyone else pulled their drive out the box and using it like a real hard drive?
dudeness
13-01-2008, 13:32
well the 500gb version uses sata2 drives. very good ones in fact , one of them was a seagate baracuda I believe they used to come as retail with five years warranty , but these are marked that they are oem and should be in a external drive. So dont think you can go for warranty through seagate.The other drive was a samsung sata2 drive i believe.
Yes, this was discussed that these come with 1 year only rather than the longer warranty with the same drive when bought as a bare unit.
Perhaps they are saying that an enclosed drive in a usb box may not last as long as the same drive in a PC, or then again, may be nothing of the sort :)
Moving to Computing Forum
ian turner
13-01-2008, 14:58
You can knock an external drive off a desk or drop it while carrying it.
You don't usually carry your entire desktop PC around unless you frequent LAN parties and you'd have to fall on it to knock it off assuming it's not under the desk anyway. So externals have a shorter life expectancy warranty wise especially if kids are added into the equation.
Mind you for the originally specified price you can now buy a 500 GB external drive with an ethernet connection so you could put it somewhere safe on the end of a long cable or plugged into a router
You can knock an external drive off a desk or drop it while carrying it.
You don't usually carry your entire desktop PC around unless you frequent LAN parties and you'd have to fall on it to knock it off assuming it's not under the desk anyway. So externals have a shorter life expectancy warranty wise especially if kids are added into the equation.
Mind you for the originally specified price you can now buy a 500 GB external drive with an ethernet connection so you could put it somewhere safe on the end of a long cable or plugged into a router
Oh yeah. It was a bargain 2 years ago ;)
It's just I feel it may get more use if I take it out the case.
Mind you I did think I could sell it as is (as new really) and use the money to just buy a new blank drive.
My ideal is a Raid 1 NAS unit with Gigabit Interface (supports jumbo frames) with two 500GB (ish) drives.
But I'll not be buying anything like that for a while !!!!!
mbuckhurst
14-01-2008, 12:31
I'll give this a bump:
2 years since the Bargain was posted and 1 year since the last posting :)
Are everyone's drives still working fine?
Must admit, I've hardly used mine, and it's probably only run for 10 hours since I bought it almost 2 years ago.
Due to the lack of use (just sitting there) I'm thinking about removing it from it's box and fitting it into my spare machine and a nice large Hard Drive.
It is IDE isn't it? And quite a good drive?
Anyone else pulled their drive out the box and using it like a real hard drive?
Mine packed in within one month of purchase, then the replacement died within one day, got my money back.
This was the driving force for me building my own fileserver, because I realised I couldn't trust external drives for my important backups.
mike
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