X Drive question

[Whaler]

People on this forum have made mention of an X Drive. I have seen an X Drive II for $89. Somewhere, I read that with this particular model you need to install a hard drive.

http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/default.php?cPath=74_29&osCsid=4c42b3d340220cedb17 a2c8e897df3da

Do you have to install your own hard drive? If so will it interface with a standard desk top drive? :?

[robertwgross]

Clarify your question.

The X drive has been sold complete with hard disk inside, and it has been sold without hard disk inside. I purchased mine without, and then purchased a laptop-size hard disk from the same vendor. It took only minutes to install the hard disk inside.

Once you have it working, then you can attach to the computer via USB cable, and it will appear as if it were additional logical disks. One being the actual laptop-size disk inside, and others being the memory card slots on it.

---Bob Gross---

[SoCal69]

I have the X-Drive II. It takes a notebook drive, not a desktop drive. Unless you are handy with opening up an electronic device and installing components, I would sggest paying the extra money and buying one with the drive pre-installed. Last year I paid $180 for it with 20GB HD installed. Then again, I know others on this forum who have installed their own drive with no problems. It really depends on your own comfort level. All in all, however, it is nice to have a storage device handy when you're out in the field.

[Whaler]

Thanx guys

[Cordell]

I have the X-Drive II. It takes a notebook drive, not a desktop drive. Unless you are handy with opening up an electronic device and installing components, I would sggest paying the extra money and buying one with the drive pre-installed. Last year I paid $180 for it with 20GB HD installed. Then again, I know others on this forum who have installed their own drive with no problems. It really depends on your own comfort level. All in all, however, it is nice to have a storage device handy when you're out in the field.

IMO it doesn't take anything to install the drive. It simply plugs right in after removing the easy to open case. Save some money and do it yourself.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Physically installing the dirve is a breeze,. But there are times where it can be very tricky to install it software wise.

Case in point,. if your drive is larger than 10 gig (which it shoudl be) WinXP will not format or partition the drive in FAT32 WinXP will insist on NTFS,. which of course the X-drive firmware will not finction on.

So then you have to somehow get it partitioned and formatted elsewher,.. this all can prove tricky. :)

[kafene]

I have the X-Drive II. It takes a notebook drive, not a desktop drive. Unless you are handy with opening up an electronic device and installing components, I would sggest paying the extra money and buying one with the drive pre-installed. Last year I paid $180 for it with 20GB HD installed. Then again, I know others on this forum who have installed their own drive with no problems. It really depends on your own comfort level. All in all, however, it is nice to have a storage device handy when you're out in the field.

IMO it doesn't take anything to install the drive. It simply plugs right in after removing the easy to open case. Save some money and do it yourself.

What do they charge for the drive installed? Can I just to over to Fry's and just get any laptop drive?

I'm guessing that this product is pretty good? I'd hate to load and think my images are safe and have it not copy correctly.

kafene.

[Scottes]

There is a height limit on the drive - 9.5mm thick. Which covers about 99% of the laptop drives out here. Other than that you can use any PC laptop drive.

It is pretty good, but if I had the money I'd get better. The X's doesn't verify, no anti-shock mechanisms of any kind, and it's a VERY simple device. But it works and I've been very happy so far. But if I had the money I'd get an armored one that verified the copy, and if I had more money I'd get one with a view screen.

But for $89 (I had the drive) it's worth every penny.

[FotoPhreak]

There is a height limit on the drive - 9.5mm thick. Which covers about 99% of the laptop drives out here. Other than that you can use any PC laptop drive.

It is pretty good, but if I had the money I'd get better. The X's doesn't verify, no anti-shock mechanisms of any kind, and it's a VERY simple device. But it works and I've been very happy so far. But if I had the money I'd get an armored one that verified the copy, and if I had more money I'd get one with a view screen.

But for $89 (I had the drive) it's worth every penny.

What is this "armored" drive that you are talking about?

Do you have any brand names or models for the shock resistant/view screen drives?

[FotoPhreak]

CDS,

You say there might be a problem getting a computer to format it to something other than NTFS ...

Do you have a solution for this?!??

[Scottes]

What is this "armored" drive that you are talking about?

Do you have any brand names or models for the shock resistant/view screen drives?

"Armored" is the Image Tank - well I think some might consider this armored as it has *some* protection against a fall. I don't know the names of the view screen models, just the prices. :)

[Scottes]

Reviews on "Portable Image Storage" can be found here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/digi_accessories.html#storage

[CyberDyneSystems]

CDS,

You say there might be a problem getting a computer to format it to something other than NTFS ...

Do you have a solution for this?!??

Format the drive in another PC.

You can't use a Win98 or DOS boot floppy,. because the boot floppy won't enable the USB port,. (ahh see catch 22) you could attach the drive directly to your PCs IDE bus with an inexpensive adapter.. etc..