Can you use an "external hard drive" as you would a normal hard drive. Can I run programs off it and treat it as if it is my primary hard drive? The reason is because my current hard drive is too small, and rather than buy a new computer, I'd just like to buy an "external hard drive." Would that work okay?
thank you, David
2006-10-21 16:30:04 · 11 answers · asked by David L 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
That would work fine.
2006-10-21 16:31:44 · answer #1 · answered by uponthis1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An external hard drive connects to your pc through USB cables, bluetooth or firewire. You can use these drives just like normal hard drives if you connect it permanently.
Your Primary drive [C:\] cannot be an external drive. you can use the c:\ drive just to install windows and other documents and use the external drive for other programs.
Tip: You dont need to buy a whole new computer to increase your internal hard disk space. You can buy an internal hard drive which is much much cheaper, hassle free and can be used as the primary drive.
Internal hard drives are available upto 2 Terabytes while external ones as far as i've heard come only upto 80 GB
2006-10-21 16:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can install programs in external hard. as long as you keep the hard drive name the same. Then the program registry referenece still point to the right program location. I don't know what do you mean primary hard drive. If it mean you install OS (windows) on the external hard drive and boot your PC from the hard drive. Then the answer will be no. Why don't you just install an internal hard drive to your PC. It's cheaper and very easy to do.
2006-10-21 16:39:05 · answer #3 · answered by teryin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I asked a salesperson at a countrywide electronics chain your question. He stated that the transportable drives have been in simple terms computing device perplexing drives in a USB Case and exterior drives have been laptop perplexing drives in a USB case. i offered an exterior perplexing force in view which you get extra storage for the cost. definite, it does use an AC adapter. the single disappointing ingredient for the single i offered is that it says to plug the USB cable interior the returned of the laptop gadget in view that plugging the USB right into a front USB port might desire to reason the force to malfunction. i do no longer understand if each and all the externals say that, yet that is not a knock-off employer -- it is from a great perplexing force producer. yet another be conscious: maximum portables are 5400 rpm while the exterior drives are generally 7200 rpm
2016-10-15 07:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can but the best thing for you is to ghost the drive or (reload windows on the new one and save data on cd's or dvd's) and buy a new 100 GB or biger for a internal drive, it is easey to change the hard drive. use the old one as an external drive.i say this because a IDE cable is faster thin USB, FIREWIRE OR BLUETOOTH and any hard ware you need just go to http://www.tigerdirect.com/
2006-10-22 01:53:48 · answer #5 · answered by thundrmark 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it works the same way an internal hard drive works.
2006-10-21 16:32:41 · answer #6 · answered by GaDawg 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I have one and they work great. You can put anything on it you would on your primary drive, as it is basically a partition. I use mine to store media and important programs, so if my computer fails, I can restore it without creating backup discs and reloading them afterward. Mine is on/off switchable, so it can be accessed when necessary.
2006-10-21 16:36:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes its a great thing to have. It works just like an internal drive which is plugged into USB. I have one which is hooked up to my Laptop. Do not remove it if you have your computer running, unless it is safe to remove.
2006-10-21 16:40:22 · answer #8 · answered by NchantingPrincess 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful
2006-10-24 00:48:02 · answer #9 · answered by blsruthi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, you could use it as a primary drive, especially if it's the only one connected. I'm not sayin it's reccommended, but it is possible.
2006-10-21 16:41:28 · answer #10 · answered by paden_j 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used mine as a backup.
But i can used it just like the main drive if i choose. (and do occasionally)
2006-10-21 16:40:06 · answer #11 · answered by dcall2 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋