VR is saying something's wrong with my HDD. Recommends I back up everything and send it in for diagnosis.

1. Whats the best way to do that?
- Cloning the whole HDD (mostly cos Im lazy)?
- Only backup files manually?
- Time Machine it?
- I do have Bootcamp/win7 in it, so lazy to do over...but a fresh start is nice maybe...

2. How to format it? Or if I even need to worry about this?
- Maybe the software does it for me

3. Which External or Portable HDD that works best with Macs? Or do all of them work?
Im leaning towards Western Digital Passport (listed on those pricelist)

This post has been edited by frega: Mar 12 2010, 04:16 PM

this just just for your reference. There's no best way since it's subjective.
1. I will make a full clone + manually backup important files.
2. Just use the built in Disk Utility and do a 7-pass erase.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002
3. I'm using WD MyBook Studio II, WD Passport Studio, both works fine. And many Mac users I know, also uses WD drives. Maybe it is widely available and they have a range advertised as Mac ready.

well wats d purpose of ur mac..
i mean is it for offices or graphics etc..

because a small usb external and a 2T-4T raid would make a major diff..

Time Machine is great but i wud rather manually backup using TimeMachine app.. not d auto one.

and btw, what is wrong with ur internal hdd.

No clue. VR tech said when he was testing it (after a repair) he found out that videos would kinda jerk or something, picture gets jerky but the sound plays normally.

I havent been able to reproduce it.

for me i'll just clone it. all external HDDs will work, juz make sure u format correctly 1st. u dun need to get the "for Mac" ones cuz some shops markup very high. but if u can get an external that has a Firewire 800 port that would be great (if ure mac has the fw800 port lah ofcourse). faster transfer speeds.

this suggestion is a bit more difficult but can do la if u try. clone ur system to a 2.5" external HDD, then swap this hdd with ur internal hdd. then juz send only ur hdd not the whole mac.

u dont need to format it, juz that some naughty technician might snoop around ur files etc. you can do a zero-out data maybe 2 or 3 times. 7-pass would be better, but it'll take much longer.

o.O I aint opening up my iMac to take out the HDD.

First, would like to clarify if late 08 15" MBP does contain the firewire 800 or not?
Next, would like to ask for the WD My Book series, do all the models contain firewire 800 or only certain models do contain? Thank you.

RTFM, it's on the box, on the mac, on the web, on the printed brochure, on the price list, some even on the receipt!




Only MyBook Studio series.
http://wdc.com.my/en/products/index.asp?cat=33
http://wdc.com.my/en/products/index.asp?cat=34

This post has been edited by wei: Mar 13 2010, 03:07 PM

wow dude...so hard to do a little bit of research? yes late 08 MBP got firewire800. even the older ones also got. but for this question ok la, maybe u just dunno where to search info about older MBP models, since the official page is only about the latest model. BUT.....

about the mybook, just look at the freaking box. if got firewire 800, it'll say on the box. if no, then no. when u buy a pack of m&ms, u need to ask at a forum which colour got peanuts?

This post has been edited by dvlzplayground: Mar 13 2010, 04:26 PM

Wow.. you guys are shooting at me.. but I admit I was no time just now to do the research.. (I clearly know that google is with me all the time la..) haha.. My situation just now was, I posted the post 3 min before a meeting which just ended 1 min ago la.. and now I'm posting this post which after this I'm rushing down to the PC fair (yes, I'm here in Singapore and there is a PC fair). Therefore I'm asking you guys such dumb questions where I can easily google la.. I simply need fast response so that I can easily target the items later.. Anyway, thanks for all the shooting (honestly, I'm sorry about the post, I know I shouldn't post that), Sorry Again! Anyway, rushing down to PC fair right now to get the items.

Is it the My Passport Studio listed on czone.pdf? Why is there such a ginormous difference better Passport and Passport Studio -.-

USB chip is always cheaper due to "ginormous" amount of products using them, hence cost is so much lower. Compare to FireWire, it's always been high-end Mac exclusive and video production houses privilege during those days. But right now we see more and more FireWire products as PC maker start to adopt it as well as growing Mac users. It's actually very affordable now compare to last time.

And a FireWire external drive usually allow more functions than the USB, like daisy chain, bootup older mac. Constant data transfer. Also they always come together with USB "just in-case".

WD Passport did not have daisy chain function though.

This post has been edited by wei: Mar 13 2010, 07:07 PM

I'm seeing a power cord for the bigger ones, MyBook Studio/II. Why does the 3.5" ones need power? >.<

My brain hurts...and my wallet is gonna butthurt even more..

edit: More questions..sorry

Can I partition said HDD to be backup (HFS+) and a media partition for playing stuff on the tv (FAT32)?
Does the 3.5" need to be plugged in for it to be read by the dvd player(it reads divx thru usb)?

This post has been edited by frega: Mar 13 2010, 10:30 PM

Dude, all desktop size external drive need power. Tell me which doesn't I go buy one or dozen. Let alone the Studio II house 2 desktop drives. This end my posting on this topic.

Wow... sorry for not being familiar with ext hdds or the backing up process, I havent had a mac die on me since I switch 6 years ago.

I'm surprised you didnt snap your fingers after you said that.

Also I'm asking WHY, 3.5" (desktop size) needs power and the 2.5" doesnt (since it doesnt list a power adapter on wdc).

This post has been edited by frega: Mar 13 2010, 10:31 PM

3.5" = Desktop Hard Disk consumes more power than 2.5" hard disk

2.5" = Requires same or a bit more power as a USB thumb drive. Hence the usage in laptops because it use less power.

That's why 2.5" drive do not need any power adaptor. Do you see any thumb drive using power adaptor?

Thank you for the answer, dont have to get b****y. I wouldnt ask if I knew.

edit out

This post has been edited by wei: Mar 13 2010, 11:43 PM

from what I can see, your HDD is over used, meaning you do not have much scratch disk space left.
your system disk is not suppose to store all the works and your files.

you need to start to work on your files and store in externally. then you existing system HDD will have sufficient space to work and will remain as fast as your first bought your mac.

as for external HDD, 3.5 inch or 2.5inch. it depends on what kind of solutions. 3.5 inch definitely need to power up.
as for 2.5 inch, some need to power up if you are using a bigger capacity HDD, however, home HDD enclosure doesnt need because the USB cable has 2 ports to connect to your mac to power up. it depends on architecture of the enclosure.

I have an enclosure for 2.5 inch, if you use the eSATA port, then you need to connect to external power.

if I am confusing you, then please give me a call or you are welcome to our office.

Wow ...

That last statement was supposed to be a funny comment and not to put you down but looking from the above comments, well ... I should see that coming. Maybe you don't have a sense of humor ..