Backup HD for iMac?

I have a LaCie Firewire HD as a backup target for Time Machine. The drive keeps failing. I reformat it and it works for a few weeks than fails again. I've switched to using the USB2 interface and guess what ... it failed. Time for another drive.

I want a drive that meets these criteria:

1. 500 GB (give or take)
   
2. Separate power & power switch so I can turn it off at night.
   
3. Reasonably quiet
   
4. Inexpensive.

The drive is likely fine, it's probably the controller that's failed. Can you pull it and see what brand the drive is?

I think you ought to consider buying a new enclosure and if you want quiet look at an aluminum one that doesn't have a fan. Those can be found for less than $40 with both Firewire and USB2. If you want to test your old drive, you'll need to pull it and see if it's IDE or SATA before you buy a new enclosure to match them.

I'm not sure I completely follow you on this. It sounds like you're saying I can build an external HD enclosure complete with Firewire / USB2 (whatever) interface, yes? I'd not thought about that. That would be a LOT better in my book than buying another all-in-one external drive.

Or am I off base?

You can buy an external enclosure with its own controller, such as this one, and then put in your own hard drive. Note that it takes a SATA drive, not an IDE drive.

Ah yes, I see. I didn't know that was an option. I like it A LOT. Thanks!