Okay!  You've got my vote! Thanks phrank!  This is exactly what I've been looking for.  All this time I've been using Double Layer DVD's, to find that they are not readable on my other computer.  Do you know how much Double Layer DVD's cost!!!!  Much rather to the External Harddrive.  Thank you!  I've been worried, if something were to happen to this computer, and all my DVD's aren't readable on another system. AAAAHHHHHHHH!  I might be able to get some sleep when I have this drive.
 
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!      
 
Shari
www.flowerswithfeelingscentral.com

Capt. Phrank,
You are my hero!
I just completed my order and can hardly wait for it to arrive.  It's my Birthday Present, and just in the nick of time!
Thanks again,
SueB
Quote from phrank_131619 on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 12:49pm:

Quote from phrank_131619 on Feb 2^nd, 2008, 1:00pm:

 
. . .Speaking from a point where my hard drives did recently crash and burn. . . AND working with an ANCIENT computer (a Beige Mac G3 circa 1997 w/OSX on one partition, OS9 on another) with a measly 30GB harddrive,  I am well aware of the importance of backup.  (I didn't loose anything, but it took a good day to reinstall and rebuild everything!)  
 
I was able to install as USB card on the old G3 a while back, so I attached an Iomega detachable drive where I keep art work and I also save finals to CDs.  I'm still able to run several graphics programs at a time (Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter) as long as I keep several GBs working space available.  But it does get frustrating. . . and I know it's not nearly as fast as the newer computers. . . which I know I will have to get sooner than later. . . but finances dictate LATER!  
 
Where I live, there isn't access to some of those "big box stores" to get cheap stuff for Macs, so I pretty much get things on line. . . they key is to know WHAT you're looking for!  I belong to an online Mac Users group in my area where I have gotten SO much useful information.  Probably couldn't have gotten this far with my "dinosaur" without them.  It's a user friendly forum similar to this one.
 
Been doing a lot of "non-computer" artwork lately as the computer crash encouraged me to "step-away-from-the-screen" for a while.  I need to do that every now and then to stay artistically focused!
 
Well, I've gone on long enough. . . BACK-UP, BACK-UP, BACK-UP!!
 
-Ernestine
 

Sandy, Hello..didn't your computer save everything?...Go to your RESTORE file.. Its in Windows.. Everything SHOULD be there.Just pick a Save Point and tell the computer to RESTORE at that point in time..Its a great program...Linda, storage devices don't have preferences. They will save anything you download to them...JPEGS BMPs, MPEGS, PDF's it doesn't matter. You can save Books, Movies, Music, Pictures,Games anything...capt

Hi Shari...I'm sorry I didn't get back to you right away..I really wanted to help before you went to the store...Do you have a Best Buy?... They are selling the same device for $116.00.. Just make sure it has all these features. and Make sure your computer HAS a USB port 2.0 or 1.0 Maxtor makes Good Drives.. I have a 30 GB Maxtor..Never had aby problems.. The Company is here in my neighborhood...I hope this Helps
 
This convenient external hard drive provides you with up to 500GB of storage space for your digital photos, movies, music and more.
 
Product Features
500GB maximum storage capacity  
High-speed USB 2.0 interface; backward compatible with USB 1.1  
Maximum data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps via USB 2.0  
7200 rpm for fast read/write times  
Auto updater helps keep the OneTouch customizable button current  
Plug-and-play storage for quick and easy installation  
Includes USB cable, power adapter and quick-start guide  
Compatible with Mac and PC  

Quote from phrank_131619 on Feb 3^rd, 2008, 3:27pm:

 
Too late!
 
We don't like our Best Buy here because "they" never have anyone that helps you.  I called a friend of mine that works for Ritz Camera where I have a membership, and he said Maxtor is a good product.  I was reading all the reviews I can find on the WD and the Maxtor, and they both have their share of good and bad reviews, so I couldn't make up my mind.  After speaking with my Ritz Camera friend who is rather computer geekish and is in touch the computer things, he said Maxtor's are real good and if I'm concerned about my external HD crashing, I could also back all (unlimited) my pictures up free of charge and Ritz backs up their systems every night.  So I would not only have my External HD, but Ritz as a 3rd backup and they back theirs up every night.  Then I can burn the amount of personal documents that I keep on my computer to single layer DVD's which are readable on my other computer.  I'm just having trouble with my older computer reading my DL DVD's because it is not a DL DVD reader.  Aha!
 
The Maxtor I bought (and I bought a 3 year complete replacement warranty for $30 - call me paranoid...) has the following specifications:
 
Lan: IEEE 802.1, IEEE 802.3u
Transmission Speed:  1000Mbps/100Mbps/10Mbps
Connectivity: 10/100/1000 RJ-45
Gigabit Ethernet port
Expansion/Sharing: USB2.0/1.1
ports for additional external hard drives or printers
Drive Performance: SATA II, 7200 RPM
Compatibility: UPnP AV
 
Will this work?  I told them what I wanted it for to be able to completely drop and drag copy all my pics/folders/documents not in backup mode, just in full (not zipped or backed up) file formats so I can use them without having to extract them, without having to use software that performs backups.  They assured me this would work.  What do you think?  Oh, god, please say it is ok....
 
Let me know.
 
Thanks!
 
Shari
www.flowerswithfeelingscentral.com

Hi Shari... I Like Maxtor Drives. As I said, I have an Internal Drive. I took it out of an Old Computer and Have been using it in a Newer Computer I built. It works fine as a Back Up device, But an External is much better if you don't have Knowledge of the Inside of a computer. You have to Know about Masters, Slaves and How to Change the Drives... Anyway, This is a good One you bought, You didn't tell me the Model so I'm not sure What model you bought...I'm guessing its a "One Touch".. The UPnP is a new format thats Used for Sharing Files over the Internet, Not my Idea of smart. I wouldn't share anything over the internet. it stands for Universal Plug and Play Audio/Video. So if you want to share a movie, or Music with someone over the Internet, This is the feature you would use, But it does consist of letting your Firewall down, and allowing someone into your computer.. Not a good Idea. I would Just use the Maxtor for backing up everything...and buying a warrenty is ALWAYS a Good Idea..When dealing with electronics, We have to understand, Things do happen. we can't get away from that., but for the most part, Electronic devices do work well...Good Luck...capt.

Hi again Shari...I'm sorry I didn't get back to you before you went shopping...I still think you bought a Great Back up unit, but it is a little more complicated than I would have chosen....Your files are Safe. The only way someone can come in and take stuff is if you give the O.K to let them in....Your having the UPnP is only saying you have the capability to do so..This is a feature which you have paid for and probably will never use. Thats the only complaint I have with this paticular model. I'm really surprised you had to buy a USB cable..Didn't it come with one?...If you feel Uncomfortable with what you purchased, you CAN take it back.. I think once you start using it you will feel better about it..It's New and it feels different, Thats all..However, should you change your mind, this is the model I would have recomended...capt.
 
500GB Basics Personal Storage 3200 USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Maxtor  
Store all important documents, photos, video and music safely and securely in the Maxtor Basics Personal Storage 3200 external hard drive!  
 
     
USB Type B (M) Connector
9.3ms Average Seek Time / Up to 7200rpm performance
Spindle speed is 7200rpm / Buffer size is 16MB cache
Warranty: 1 Year
Ideal for the home and office, the 500GB Basics Personal Storage 3200 USB 2.0 Hard Drive is simple to install. Just plug in the USB cable and your Personal Storage solution automatically appears as another drive on your computer. Perfect for the Home PC or laptop user who needs extra storage in a hurry, you can use the extra capacity to free up the space on your PC or to add more of your favorite files. It can hold up to 375,000 digital photos (JPEG-normal), or 8,250 hours of digital music (MP3), or 35 hours of DV video. Price $150.00
Computer Requirements:
PC: Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, or XP Home Edition 128 MB (256 recommended) RAM or more as required by operating system Pentium III, 500 MHz equivalent processor or higher CD-ROM drive Internet connection (for system updates) Mac: Mac OS X (10.2.8 or later) 128 MB (256 recommended) RAM or more as required by operating system Apple G4 processor or greater CD-ROM drive Internet connection (for system updates)