CompUSA 4hr sale Friday

[allisolm]

CompUSA stores are having a 4-hr sale starting 6PM Friday, Jun 29.

Ad .pdf

Maxtor 320GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive $69.99 SKU 325513 looks like no rebates

Western Digital My Book Essential Edition 500GB Hard Drive $119.95 no rebates SKU 338831

Targus Rechargeabel Bluetooth Laser mouse $9.99 after rebate SKU 343467

and if you're one of the first 25 to spend $20 or more you get a $15 iTunes gift card instantly.

 

[vrbaba]

hmmmm... 320gb or the 500gb..... not the cheapest ive seen, but its the ease of picking it up locally.

I would probably bite on the Bluetooth Laser mouse, seems cheap for a rechargeable mouse...anyone got any reviews for it?

 

[T2urtle]

does this apply to online deals or in stores.

 

[Queasy]

Now if only they hadn't closed over half of their stores....

 

[tigersty1e]

How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.

 

[Gilby]

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.

Based on my experience, that won't work. I copied a bunch of data to one of those backup drives, and then disconnected it, and I could no longer access my data. I had to reconnect it to be able to access the data again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
does this apply to online deals or in stores.

Well, the mouse is online at $9.99 AR now and the 500GB is online at $119.99 now and the 500-Watt Power Supply is online for $19.99 AR now, but some of the others things aren't available at the sale prices as of this moment. So the answer is yes, no, maybe.

Online shipping is not free unless you spend over $150.

 

[gcy]

Originally posted by: Gilby
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tigersty1e
How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.</end quote></div>

Based on my experience, that won't work. I copied a bunch of data to one of those backup drives, and then disconnected it, and I could no longer access my data. I had to reconnect it to be able to access the data again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

Of course

 

[Spurst]

...

external drives are pretty reliable. well, almost as reliable as internal drives, anyhow. Just make sure you "shut down" the device before disconnecting it so you do not corrupt your data. I had a cheapo usb drive cage and it smokes a hard drive of mine, but that was more due to the power supply for the cage, than anything else.

Honestly, do you really think companies would be selling so many of these and make 1 TB external solutions if they had reliability issues? 1 TB of data is quite a bit of information to risk losing. I've had my WD MyBook drive moved all around on vacations, lan parties, work, etc. Its been unplugged for long periods, dropped off the desk, etc. Still works like a charm. Not as fast as an internal SATA, but usb2 is quick enough for having it as a storage drive.

 

[vortix]

These external drives have internal drives in them - the same ones that you would install in your computer. So they should be just as reliable as internal drives of the same type would be. If the external drives are not as reliable, it would most likely be because of environmental factors - you are more likely to carry your external drive around with you than the drive inside your desktop PC. Any time drives are carried around, they become more prone to failure. Remember, hard drives are mechanical - with some shaking around over time, reliability can go down.

Also, for the person that had problems backing up his data, I imagine that is because he moved his files to his external hard drive and didn't copy them. Of course if the files are moved, and the drive is shut off, the files would only be accessible if the drive was hooked up again. There should be no reason that any external hard drive would not make a good drive for backup purposes....as long as the person making the backup does it properly.

These look like semi-decent deals. Although I no longer have any CompUSAs near me any more

 

[Riverhound777]

Hmmm not bad, I might pick up a few of those 512mb PC3200s for $40. I only have a gig right now.

 

[Riverhound777]

Oops, double post.

 

[kki000]

got one of the mice online. hope its better than the pos macally bt mouse i have now.
thnx op.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Gilby
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tigersty1e
How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.</end quote></div>

Based on my experience, that won't work. I copied a bunch of data to one of those backup drives, and then disconnected it, and I could no longer access my data. I had to reconnect it to be able to access the data again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

Lmao

 

[starwars7]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Gilby
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tigersty1e
How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.</end quote></div>

Based on my experience, that won't work. I copied a bunch of data to one of those backup drives, and then disconnected it, and I could no longer access my data. I had to reconnect it to be able to access the data again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.</end quote></div>

Wow, that totally sucks. What brand of External Hard Drive do you have?

I've got a Western Digital and the whole point of it for me was to make it transportable. No problems on my end and I've moved it dozens of times to different PC's. If it lost all my data every time I disconnected it I'd be pissed!

 

[LoverBoyJ]

thanks for the heads-up.
I need another 512GB for my desktop

 

[AdyG]

The external HD and the mouse are quite tempting!!

There's even a CompUSA just across my street that survived

 

[LoverBoyJ]

Crap, just found out that the closest CrapUSA is about 45miles away.
not worth the $19.99 drive considering the price of gas

 

[vrbaba]

I just picked up the Bluetooth Laser mouse, it looks pretty cool. Came with the two aaa rechargeable batteries. I have to charge them for 8 hours before use (recommended), so haven't used it yet. Also, it has a $40 MIR (kind of steep, but i believe Targus is good about rebates).

Also, got my iTunes $15 gift card, went at the right time. (going to FS for about 10 bucks I suppose).

And a Laptop Cooler Pad on sale for $15. Friend's acer has been heating up a bit.

 

[Devil2U]

Sure, I'll just pop down to my loco CompUSA retail store.......... oh wait.
isgust;

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: Gilby
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tigersty1e
How reliable are external hard drives?

I'm thinking of backing up my data and then disconnecting it.</end quote></div>

Based on my experience, that won't work. I copied a bunch of data to one of those backup drives, and then disconnected it, and I could no longer access my data. I had to reconnect it to be able to access the data again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

This is a joke, right? -- I am not sure if you are serious or joking around at this point. I am going to presume you were joking though, based on the last part (bolded).

Anyway, just so people do not get mixed up, external drives make wonderful backup devices. The only thing I would warn is not to move the device often or travel with it if you can help it. This logically, applies to the device ONLY if you use it for backup purposes. Additionally, if your data is very, very important to you (irreplacable), you should also do a multi-volume rar of your files and store them on DVD and put them away safely. Make two or three copies of your existing data on the same drive if space allows for it... Basically, have copies of copies of your data over several mediums. You can never go wrong with too much backup.

There have been many times where I have been working on a server and somehow data becomes corrupt. It is a relief to know that I created a backup of the database can restore it. I can't imagine having to tell a business owner bad news...