External HD's

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Ausumm

Gold Plated Productions
Oct 21, 2008
12,207
15,520
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Bethlehem PA
Ever since I went digital, I've been using the Numark D2 Director. It's their basic dual MP3 player. No bells and whistles. To store my music, I bought two identical MyBook external hard drives. They have served me well for many years. Recently, one of the hard drives is having an issue. It cannot be recognized by my laptop or any other device. When I bought them, I had read that the D2 required hard drives that need to be plughed in and have their own power. But now with the advancement in SSD drives, I would really like to go solid state. Anyone know of any issues I may run into? Also, is there a certain type of SSD I need to buy?
 
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Ever since I went digital, I've been using the Numark D2 Director. It's their basic dual MP3 player. No bells and whistles. To store my music, I bought two identical MyBook external hard drives. They have served me well for many years. Recently, one of the hard drives is having an issue. It cannot be recognized by my laptop or any other device. When I bought them, I had read that the D2 required hard drives that need to be plughed in and have their own power. But now with the advancement in SSD drives, I would really like to go solid state. Anyone know of any issues I may run into? Also, is there a certain type of SSD I need to buy?

If they work, 'any' SSD will do - but I would buy from name brands. While I have recovered many failed spindle drives, I have yet to recover a failed SSD.
 
I always advise people to use the SSD as the system drive. Data can be stored on a HDD or avSSD if you want to spend more. That’s how I have my newest laptop configured. A 512GB SSB system drive and a 1TB HD data drive. All of my regular HDs have been fast enough to handle Video and none of them are 7200. Pricing should have been dropping on SSD. So If you’re getting 2 to 4TB a SSD shouldn’t be too expensive. If you’re getting a huge drive a SSD will be very expensive. If you’re going to be moving around maybe one with a protective case might help protect the drive. I too have heard trying to recover a data SSD might not be possible but then again should have a backup. Although it’s mind numbing now many people have no backup of any of their data on their laptops and cell phone. Your data might not be need after a couple years but digital photos you might want to keep.
 
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I always advise people to use the SSD as the system drive. Data can be stored on a HDD or avSSD if you want to spend more. Your data might not be need after a couple years but digital photos you might want to keep.
I honestly don't need any more than 500 gigs. I've got a 500 gig HD now, and I've only used 60% of it. I have a 2 TB hard drive at home, which I dump all of my music, all my pictures, and all of this stuff off of my phone.
 
If they work, 'any' SSD will do - but I would buy from name brands. While I have recovered many failed spindle drives, I have yet to recover a failed SSD.
That's the thing, I'm not worried about failure, because I also have a regular 2 terabyte hard drive at home. This would just be for taking out on gigs, in which case a solid state drive makes much more sense. I remember when I initially bought my original hard drives, I read that Numark suggests using one that has plug-in power, not USB power.
 
If you are at 512GB you could just use a stick. Just check the speed on USB 3.1. I have a couple of 256 sticks, you have to be careful not to lose them. I’ve meaning to pickup a 512GB slim fit to replace a 256 I have when they go on sale.
 
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News flash my friend...they don't last forever....:cheers:
True - but when one dies, you buy another and repeat the process.

That's the thing, I'm not worried about failure, because I also have a regular 2 terabyte hard drive at home. This would just be for taking out on gigs, in which case a solid state drive makes much more sense. I remember when I initially bought my original hard drives, I read that Numark suggests using one that has plug-in power, not USB power.
'Usb power' means that it takes the physical powering of the moving parts and electronics from the host device, in this case, the Numark - this could easily be bothersome to the Numark. 'Plug in power' relieves the Numark of this. SSD's do not have moving parts to power. If you are buying a SSD to take to events, have a spare (exact duplicate) at the ready.
 
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I always advise people to use the SSD as the system drive. Data can be stored on a HDD or avSSD if you want to spend more. That’s how I have my newest laptop configured. A 512GB SSB system drive and a 1TB HD data drive. All of my regular HDs have been fast enough to handle Video and none of them are 7200. Pricing should have been dropping on SSD. So If you’re getting 2 to 4TB a SSD shouldn’t be too expensive. If you’re getting a huge drive a SSD will be very expensive. If you’re going to be moving around maybe one with a protective case might help protect the drive. I too have heard trying to recover a data SSD might not be possible but then again should have a backup. Although it’s mind numbing now many people have no backup of any of their data on their laptops and cell phone. Your data might not be need after a couple years but digital photos you might want to keep.
This is what I did with my previous laptop that had 2 drives( one for M2 and HD) , put the OS on the SSD and the HD was for storage and some programs.

New laptop drivers are all M2, its so nice having everything on SSD's.
 
Anyone know of any issues I may run into? Also, is there a certain type of SSD I need to buy?
Buy name brand and buy one that is "portable".
 
Let's keep it simple. Have a backup just in case.
We talking about main systems you use for when your performing. Your backup will be another external drive which you keep at home and/or in the cloud.
Now your laptop is your main tool, you need to understand it and how in works, how tech on it changes.
Software being created now is written to take advance of the latest features on computers. Why VDJ with stems, OBS and other programs won’t run on some older machines.
 
We talking about main systems you use for when your performing. Your backup will be another external drive which you keep at home and/or in the cloud.
Now your laptop is your main tool, you need to understand it and how in works, how tech on it changes.
My laptop is NOT my main tool.
It's only a backup.

And yes. I have TWO hard drives.
Plus my main external HD at home.
(which is the backup for the backup)
 
There is one avenue I have not pursued. The one MyBook HD that is not working, does not seem to be recognized by my laptop or the Numark. Is it toast? Or is there a way to save the hard drive and make it function again?
 
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I remove the Drives from my old laptops before I get rid of them. If the drive is still functional you’ll be able to hook a cable to it and access the data. They also sell cases for some drives turning them into external drives. Somewhere in the house a box of all my old hard drives.