Purchasing an external hard drive - Vista compatible?

Question

Hi all,

I am thinking of purchasing an external hard drive. My current computer is an XP pro. I am thinking of using the external hard drive with this computer. However, I am also considering purchasing a new computer with Vista in the near future. Are current external hard drives compatible with Vista?

Also, if you have any suggestions on good external hard drives, please let me know.

Thanks!
mtomomes

Answer 1

Any usb 2.0 external drives over about 8 gigabytes should be compatible. Also note that HP and a few other oem manufacturers have a promotion where if you buy a vista capable PC now, you get a coupon for a pretty steep discount off of Vista when it becomes available to most consumers (should be around late jan/early feb 2007). There is no need to wait, as you can get a good vista capable PC already + the discount towards vista

Answer 2

First you won't be buying a computer with Vista in the near future because you probably won't really see Vista until march 2007. Any external hard drive that is USB based will be compatible.

Answer 3

Yes, any hard drive you purchase now would be windows vista compatable..The release date for them are below
January 30, 2007 - Mary Jo Foley of Microsoft Watch is assuming that January 30, 2007 is the release date for Windows Vista. Vista has faced numerous delays durings its development, but the January 30th date is on track with Microsoft's latest projections.

Answer 4

Buy a Western Digital (WD) hard drive. They are very fast and reliable. They make many different sizes also. I have 2 and have never had a problem

Answer 5

yes they are vista compatable get a wd drive

Answer 6

Software is never an issue with type of hard drive! Type of hard drive has to do with the motherboard and BIOS!

Go to www.microsoft.com to find out what the system requirements are for VISTA!

Do not purchase a new computer, BUILD IT YOURSELF!
You buy all the parts on line you put it together.
Pick an on line computer parts store (www.directron.com)
pick a case, copy paste into document with URL, price, and item name. Do that for the whole system. Do it with more than one site. You pick what you like, the performance you want, the price you want to pay!

Buy a mobile rack that fits into the front of the computer, then you do not need external drive. SWAP drives on line without opening computer!
Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
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Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
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Chapter 5: Installing Drives
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http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4007.html
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http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com
www.monarchcomputers.com

Answer 7

any hard drive beyond 7gb space.

Answer 8

yes, it will be, I suggest Lacie

Answer 9

no problem