WD 160GB External USB 2.0 Hard Disk for only $99- Now $149 AR

[Richardito]

MWave has this item on clearance. I almost went for it, but I really need to save my money instead of saving money.

MWave Link

 

[cubanx]

Nice find.

Fuctions great but mine had a constant whine so I had to unplug it most of the time since my rig is in the bedroom.

 

[Tab]

Uh....can you switch that drive out?

 

[justshawnf]

Good Find -- Ordered mine.

 

[msh111]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Uh....can you switch that drive out?

Good question...I'd like to know too before ordering.

Anyone know?

 

[mscdex0]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to grab one of these WD 80/120/160/etc. drives on the cheap (when a hot deal comes around for them) and then grab a 20 some dollar usb2 enclosure?

 

[osiris3mc]

This seems like a great deal to me...Before I go in for it, any feedback on this drive? Thanks for the great find!

 

[HESDog]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Tabb
Uh....can you switch that drive out?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Good question...I'd like to know too before ordering.

Anyone know?



Yes, the drive can be switched out. The drive housing has a cover that slides off, and there are two screws under a couple of the rubber feet. Very easy to do. I know this because I upgraded an 80Gb drive to a 120Gb.

 

[osiris3mc]

Well, I couldn't wait for any reviews, it seems like too good a deal to pass up. Thanks OP!

 

[gshock888]

8mb cache, right?

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Uh....can you switch that drive out?

I have the 80GB version of this drive. To open the case, you need special "key" or tool. If you try to open the case, you will probably void the warranty. This might be easy to defeat, but I decided it isn't worth risking the warranty to swap out drives.

 

[gplracer]

This one has a 2mb buffer. I was just about to buy an enclosure for $57 on newegg that has usb and firewire. I guess this would be better but isnt the firewire a lot faster?

 

[SimMike2]

I don't think firewire is "a lot faster." But Firewire is less CPU intensive than USB 2.0, so that probably improves performance.

 

[gplracer]

I build computers on the side for people so this would probably be a great tool. I am always backing up files for people when their os needs to be reinstalled. I just read a review of another similar product and it stated in that review that the firewire was much faster. It might have just been on the product. I had always thought that usb2 and firewire was about the same.

 

[istvan]

Originally posted by: SimMike2
I don't think firewire is "a lot faster." But Firewire is less CPU intensive than USB 2.0, so that probably improves performance.

Firewire is much much better than USB 2.0 for large files.

 

[Tarfin]

Originally posted by: cubanx
Nice find.

Fuctions great but mine had a constant whine so I had to unplug it most of the time since my rig is in the bedroom.

I have the Firewire/USB 2.0 version of this drive and have the same problem. Its been relegated to doing data backups so the whine is only endured on a weekly/monthly basis.

 

[starunj]

they changed it to $149. them b*tches.

 

[zaph]

I have the 80GB version as well, you DO NOT need a special key or tool to open it.

*** For those who are wondering this WILL void your warranty***

1. Slide off the front/side plastic color panel

2. 2 phillips head screws are under the rubber feet along one side of the enclosure, after they are removed the enclosure swings open from the side you removed the screws from.

3. The drive is mounted in a small drive cage that is held to the bottom of the unit by 2 phillips screws located under the serial# sticker (bye bye warranty)

4. There is metallic foil tape connecting the drive to the unit and drive cage (grounding? RF interference masking? ) this can be carefully peeled back from the drive and left in position to re-apply it to the new drive.

5. There are also 2 or 3 rubber "dots" or feet on top of the drive, probably used for vibration dampening. They can be carefully removed and re-applied to the replacement drive.

6. After the 2 screws on the botton are removed along with the metallic tape and rubber dots, the drive tray comes out, but is connected to the unit by two VERY short IDE and Power cables. A pair of needle nosed, or small angled pliers help you to carefully remove the 2 connectors

7. The drive is held to the drive tray by 4 small phillips screws in rubber anti-shock mounts. These mount the drive to the tray using the standard connectors on the BOTTOM of the drive.

8. Put in a new drive, reassemble, format and enjoy!

 

[osiris3mc]

Originally posted by: starunj
they changed it to $149. them b*tches.

Damn...I just got in on that. I was gonna wait to think about it just a little more, but then said, what the heck. Phew!

By the way, I guess it's time to change the title of this thread...

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: starunj
they changed it to $149. them b*tches.

Strange. I saw it at Dumpinggoods.com for $99 last Friday. Went there today and it is $119. Oh well, for someone who missed the deal but still want the drive, $199 isn't too bad. I've purchased twice from Dumpinggoods.com and they seem okay. First purchase I misstyped my CC billing address and the day after I placed the order I received a phone call from them to correct my error. The woman who called spoke English without an accent (novel for a company doing business in the LA area) and the order was shipped to me the following day.

The drive is 2MB cache, 7200RPM (the "BB" model). Yeah, opening it up probably voids the warranty. If I needed something like this, for the price of $99 or $119, I'd rather buy this than to piece together my own. I've gotten those cheap external boxes and drives tend to run really hot in them.

As for USB2 versus firewire, my preference is firewire, but most machines have USB and do not have firewire.

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: zaph
I have the 80GB version as well, you DO NOT need a special key or tool to open it.

Thanks for the information. Now I can swap out a drive if I want.

 

[BlackMamba]

Pls update thread to reflect new $149 price. Thx !