External HD for Storage

Not sure if this is the right forum to ask this if not mods please feel free to move...

Yesterday I purchased a Maxtor 160HD from Office Depot. They are on sale 24.95 after rebate (ATA & SATA) thru Saturday if anyone else is interested. Anyway I wanted to make this an external storage drive for backing up all my pics.

I have seen cases you can mount a HD in but unsure what I am looking for or how they work. Do any of these work where I could plug this drive case into a USB and back up things that away and only power it up as needed. If someone could point me in the right direction here as to what I need or what my options are that would be great. I got the ATA as I don't think my older motherboard will support the newer SATA drives.

Thanks
Greg

Since you will be using an external enclosure I would exchange your ATA for the SATA version just in case you use it later in a new computer that has SATA capability. Then find an enclosure with SATA to USB interface. Here are some with SATA internal interface. Now just choose the type of external interface you are after, like USB 2.0 only or maybe USB & eSATA for example.

http://www.newegg.com …7123+1054107131​&name=SATA

As to your question about turning it on only when in use. That is the best way to use these IMO. I only turn mine on when I go to bed as my backups run while I sleep. Then I verify my backup in the morning and shut it off.

LOL, Thanks IN2. I first bought the SATA by accident got home seen what I had done. We went into town last night for Pizza so carried it back for the ATA. I know the young man will be thrilled to see me come back and swap it for the SATA again.

Those are exactly what I was looking for but wasn't sure what they were called. Thanks for the link.

Greg