Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LateBloomer]

Is there such a thing as an external drive that can only be used for back-up? I bought a Memorx Ultra traveldrive 120 GB and I can't seem to save anything on it without the download also being saved on my computer. It also beeps at me constantly and displays the message..."Do you want RealPlayer to perform the ....... etc."

It says it includes Arcsoft Total Media Backup but I didn't think that was the only thing it could do.

[idonojacs]

Anything is possible. But in this case, I doubt it.

I presume you bought this used, without instructions, hence the befuddlement.

So the first thing you do is look for the manufacturer's website and the model number and any info it has, including instructions manual.

This advice goes for just about any computer product these days.

You can also just google the product and see what pops up.

Let's see....

[LateBloomer]

idonojacs,

Thanks for your reply.

No, the drive isn't used. I bought it today and used the installation disc. The installation seemed to proceed with no hitches. In My Computer it does show up as a regular drive (Drive F) but it's also is identified as and add-on drive.

(My befuddlement is largely due to the fact that anything computer-related mystifies me. What I do know has resulted from trial and error--mostly error.)

The drive has stopped giving me the "what do you want me to do" messages. I was just about to throw it out the window but it cost 138kw. at HomePlus. I undoubtedly paid too much but I just didn't feel like a trip to Yongsan.

[idonojacs]

I don't think you got ripped off. 120GB is a fairly big drive for a 2.5 drive; I believe I saw it is 5,200 rpm, too, which is good.

You can check the prices in the States online. I found $120 for Compusa, and $112 for Amazon. So the States seem to be cheaper, but this is buying online, rather than at a store.

I don't know how long it would take you to get to Yongsan, and how much it would cost, but you need to factor that into the Korean prices. I haven't been there; it would take more than half a day, whether by plane, train or bus to get there, and more than half a day to get back, so I would have to include the transportation costs and a hotel room and at least four meals into the cost of the electronics item I might buy. I figure with the value of my time, if I can save, say, $300 I might break even.

And then there is the issue of how much it would cost to go back to Yongsan to return a product if it turns out to be defective (can you do that?). So there is something to buying locally.

In the States, I was reluctant to buy computer products online that I might need to return. The most common example was flatbed scanners. But reputable brands are fairly reliable now.

Out of curiosity, did it come with English instructions?

When all else fails, read the instructions.

And if you do an online search, spell it "Memorex."

Here's an idea. Uninstall whatever it was you installed. Then just plug the drive in. If you have XP or Vista, chances are it will work fine after Windows installs the built in drivers.

See if everything works fine.

Then, if you want to use the backup software, reinstall it.

I have not had the best experiences with backup software. But then it has probably improved by now.

To uninstall, go to Start, Settings, the Control Panel, look for Add or Remove Programs in XP, or Programs and Features in Vista. Click and look for the program you want to uninstall.

After the uninstall, it sometimes helps to reboot your computer, though it shouldn't usually matter with XP or Vista.

Here's another idea, not so much for you, but for more technically minded users: If your laptop has a smaller, older drive, take the 120 GB drive and put it in your laptop. Reinstall your software, and use the old drive for backup. Many people do this, take the old drive out and put it in one of those small cases that can cost as little as $10.

How difficult this is depends on how hard it is to get to your hard drive in your laptop. My new laptop is easy. My old one was kinda like doing a heart transplant. I had to take off the keyboard, the LCD screen, and everything else.

But the good thing about installing Windows and the software is you learn how your computer works. You see, if you just installed Windows -- which any idiot can do because all you have to do is stick the disk in and following instructions -- and you then fiddle around with the Windows settings and muck it up and can't figure out how to fix it, you just reinstall Windows again.

I have been known to do this two or three times before I understood how to modify the settings on my computer correctly.

Then you install the software yourself. And once you do that, chances are you will either know what you are doing, or be hopelessly lost.

This is a good thing to do when you buy a new computer. Experiment with the settings, then reinstall Windows yourself.

You see, this is the "trial and error" method of learning how a computer works. It's OK to learn this way. A lot of people do.

[Demophobe]

What software does one need for a USB hard drive?!?

Format it and use it as normal.

[LateBloomer]

idonojacs,

Thanks again. Yes, it came with English directions and I followed them all. I just noticed that I can download a complete manual from the Memorex website...will take a look at that. I tried pushing the "quick back-up" button on the device. I didn't do that initially because I assumed it was optional and I wan't really interested in the back-up function. It doesn't seem to have changed anything other than it immediately gave me the option to back-up all my files.... So, I'm still wondering if there's something in the disc download for this drive that makes the back-up function predominant. Hopefully, the Memorex site will address that issue.

Demophobe,

It came with an installation disc....so I downloaded whatever was on the disc.

[idonojacs]

Demophobe

[Demophobe]

My word you are wordy. Sorry I couldn't sift through the sand to find the gold.

The drivers for a USB hard drive are native to Windows.

I have used WD drives for years without worry...Maxtor, however....

[LateBloomer]

Update:

After taking radical measures like reading complete instructions, disconnecting the drive, reconnecting it, reinstalling the disc etc. I did the equivalent of kicking the TV when it isn't working......I stood the drive on its end. It works perfectly that way. This probably is just a temporary solution but at least it has stopped beeping constantly and giving me Real Player alerts.

[spliff]