Handtops, UMPC - Any external hard disks?

03/26/08 + Nobody99

Does anyone use any external storage devices with their Flipstart that doesn't need a power source of its own and that can simply run from the Flipstart USB?

I would like to have external storage that I can just plug in to the USB without having to use a bulky power adapter as well. I was thinking of putting my old Flipstart 30GB disk into a 1.8 inch external USB 2.0 caddy but I don't know if it will have enough power to work correctly.

03/26/08 + rr0123

That should work fine. I have used the WD Passport 2.5", Lacie 2.5", and a really small Kaser that I think uses a 1.8". I've only had problems with the Seagate 2.5" ones, they seem to require a lot of juice.

03/26/08 + wodin

I just bought an LG Slim DVD burner from BestBuy. I'll be taking it back because even with the drive plugged into a second USB port (on my monitor) I still get Over Power warnings on the FS' USB port.

Also it doesn't see the disk in the drive.

I'll be gettting one that has it's own power supply!

03/26/08 + kamodt

@wodin,

The USB port does is not powered so it won't run a CD/DVD drive that doesn't provide it's own power. We sold a slim CD/DVD burner on the FS site but I don't know if Dynamism is carrying them. They were around $149 I think.

Recent Blog: Some choices

03/26/08 + Nobody99

rr0123, if I purchased this link it will work without needing extra power?

With the kaser, are you talking about the kaser mobile vault?

Also, I wonder if those external hard disks will still work when the Flipstart is getting low on battery.

03/26/08 + Nobody99

Looks like something happend to the link but it was the Western Digital 250GB Passport V2 External USB 2.0 2.5" Hard Drive on Amazon.co.uk.

In the notes it mentions ''Notes: The AC adapter is not included, which might be required when connected the WD WDXMS2500TE 250GB passport portable hard drive to computers with insufficient power supply to the USB / USB 2.0 ports, especially for some super slim laptops.''

03/26/08 + wodin

kamodt said: "The USB port does is not powered so it won't run a CD/DVD drive that doesn't provide it's own power. We sold a slim CD/DVD burner on the FS site but I don't know if Dynamism is carrying them. They were around $149 I think."

Thanks Kieth, Are the USB ports on the docking station powered?

I plugged my phone into the docking station, and the charge led didn't come on. So I'm thinking it's not.

OK, I just broke out the FS and plugged both USB cables from the DVD drive into it. There is some power there, enough to read the CD, but the "Power Surge on Hub Port" warning still comes up.

Well, it's back to BestBuy for this little beastie.

03/26/08 + snowviper

I 've used several external drive. I have used seagate 2.5 and it work fine. but when I used it with doc it require the extra pwr. for cd I used usb to ide cable (15dollars). I can swap it with ide hdd or ide dvd drive w/o external pwr.

03/26/08 + kamodt

@wodin

Sorry, the plan was to avoid drawing power from the device since battery-life is crucial. Powering a drive via the USB port would have drained the battery too fast, with the Port Replicator or without.

Recent Blog: Some choices

03/27/08 + wodin

Well, I traded the Slim LG in for a full sized Pioneer. I think I made the wrong choice! The Pioneer is ugly, and huge! I should have just kept the LG and powered it from a powered hub.

Oh well!

03/27/08 + pierro78

@Nobody99 : my friend tried with the exact same 250GB wd passport drive and it didn't work.

i am happy it's working with other drives as rr0123 stated it though as I am planing to put the internal 30gb drive in an usb enclosure ...

03/27/08 + funtasticguy

Pierro78, where have you found the right usb enclosure for these ZIF drives?

03/27/08 + pierro78

I haven't bought any yet but it looks like there are a lot of them on eaby : link

(newegg seems to have one too : link but I am less sure about the connector ...)

03/27/08 + funtasticguy

Thanks pierro78 for the links! I found the Samsung HS082HB (80GB ZIF 40 5mm 8MB cache) on eBay today. Here's the link for anyone interested (he only has 2 left):

link

03/27/08 + Nobody99

I digged out an old CompactDrive 70X enclosure that I bought years ago, it takes 2.5 disk drives and uses 4 AA batteries. This will do for my portable storage and will not drain the Flipstart batteries unnecessarily I guess.