Thinkpads Forum

Looking for an external HD to do a ghost image of my T60's HD. (At least 100GB) Any suggestions?

Put the exact Type and Model of the T60 in your signature (using the 'Profile' section).
Makes it easier to tell you what to get.

Since the T60 does not have Firewire, any USB2.0 concoction will do.
But these come in either IDE or SATA, so start with making that choice first.
Then go for as large a HD as you can/want to afford.
If you get an external case with a 2.5" drive, it can run off 2 USB-ports of your laptop, some come with an extra powersupply.
If you get a 3.5" you will definitely need an external powersupply as well.
I always have had very good results with Seagate harddisks but Western Digital or Hitachi or Samsung are popular as well. Don't get Maxtor.

RealBlackStuff wrote:Put the exact Type and Model of the T60 in your signature (using the 'Profile' section).
Makes it easier to tell you what to get.

"Type 2008 - DD3" is what it reads on the bottom

But I'm planning to add a Hitachi 7200rpm HD to my system

Are you talking about replacing the existing 80GB with a 100GB or larger?
Or do you just want an external backup HD?

Both.

I'm going to replace my current 80GB 5400rpm HD with a larger 7200rpm HD. But I'm not asking about that.

I also want to get an external HD to use only as a backup to ghost my new T60's HD.

To replace the internal HD, see this thread about Hitachi 7K200
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42364

For the external disk, a 3.5" HD can be larger larger and is more rugged than a 2.5", and probably cheaper as well.
Money is the main point to consider here, if weight/size is no problem.

I think you're just asking what kind of external, USB/Firewire drive to get. They're becoming a very common commodity, I'd let your wallet be your guide. Most I've seen are USB 2.0/FireWire 400 compatible, with 7200 RPM hard drives in 'em. More enhanced models offer Firewire800 (I put a Firewire 800 card in my Dock II for this reason), or NAS (network share) capability. I have a SimpleShare which will take 2 USB drives as secondaries, and use their space, but it doesn't like my older Maxtor OneTouch. I like the SimpleShare all the same, but it's an older model which doesn't support "sleep" mode.

NewEgg.com has good deals. Also, where you are determines what's around locally -- if you want to buy and have the assurance of being able to return if it doesn't work out, try looking at Target, Costco, SAMS, BJ's, et al.

davidspalding wrote:I think you're just asking what kind of external, USB/Firewire drive to get.

Exactly. I was just wondering if there was anything specific to look for if it was to be used with my T60. I started to buy something on newegg and noticed a few reviews mentioned having problems being powered by a laptop, etc. Just thought I'd ask for a recommendation.

Your TP has a SATA hard disk, but probably no SATA-port out. You also have USB2.0 but no Firewire.
Without spending the extra cash for a Firewire card, your best option is a USB2.0 enclosure in either 2.5" or 3.5". See my first post to you.

Billmanweh wrote:

davidspalding wrote:I think you're just asking what kind of external, USB/Firewire drive to get.

Exactly. I was just wondering if there was anything specific to look for if it was to be used with my T60. I started to buy something on newegg and noticed a few reviews mentioned having problems being powered by a laptop, etc. Just thought I'd ask for a recommendation.

"Portable" USB drives use the USB hub to power them ... which draws power from your motherboard. Not all USB ports will prove up to 500mA of juice. Also: I've seen some T4x laptops get motherboard replacements due to the USB port burning out, so I rarely use it on mine (using a Dock/Dock II port).

Some portable hard drives can take an AC adapter ... sold separately. If you get a stationary external hard drive (e.g. OneTouch, MyBook, SimpleShare), it should come with an AC adapter and so you won't be limited to the power draw, and it will probably be a better dollar-to-gigabytes value. Unless you gotta have the data on the go, get a desktop ext. hard drive.

EDIT: I see you're in Ft. Worth, I'd join your local Costco (you'll make back the cost of membership within 1-2 purchases there), and get what they have. They have a rock-solid, 90-day return policy, satisfaction guaranteed. Last time I looked, my local stores had Western Digital MyBook hard drives for competitive prices (e.g. 500GB, 1TB, and others).

I use a 80GB Western Digital passport drive for occasional backup purposes, but would not necessarily recommend this. A friend of mine with the same drive used his frequently as an external drive and it died relatively quickly, most likely due to heat, as this drive is completely encased in plastic and rubber with no discernible ability to vent heat. I would be hesitant to use any similar portable drive for the same reason, although as the capacities of these portable 2.5" drives goes up, the temptation to use them for a fully portable ghost of your machine does so as well.

Well, I was planning to get the 200GB Hitachi HD for my laptop so I would like something at least that size for an exteral backup.

Would this be a good choice?

Western Digital HD at Newegg