Help On Ex-HDD

[ahpek26]

Erm k i bought the Xcraft Ex-HDD recently. Connect it, all lit up nicely but, I cant load anything on it o.O.

Seems as though everything is ok but I cant find the drive on My Computer. Using laptop w/ USB 2.0 (Win xp pro). Help?

Weird thing is, I tried using my Zen Microphoto USB thumbdrive and it works perfectly. Represents as drive F: in My Computer. The Ex-HDD, nothing =\

[mlkok]

Did you check to see if the USB cable is ok? Often times it can be a simple thing. If not, it could be the HDD being DOA.

[mimosa]

DOA? Ughh... nasty that. :(

[ahpek26]

Did you check to see if the USB cable is ok? Often times it can be a simple thing. If not, it could be the HDD being DOA.
oh shoot nvm, forgot to format.. 1st time hehe.. yeah im following the guide *slowly... zzz xD*
DOA? Dead Or Alive huh? hehe..

Question!

My total hdd size is 320 gb, but.. it says 289.09 gb on the Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management, is that normal and.. why?

Edit: Do I need to let it format to 100%, coz theres like +-30 gb used.. help again =P

[mimosa]

This is an age-old question, but I can't think of the answer atm. Give me a sec.

[mimosa]

Ah, manufacturers take 1000 bytes as equal to 1Kb, so if your HDD has 320,000,000,000 bytes, they say your HDD is 320GB.

BUT 1kb is not 1000 bytes, its .... ummm... something else..err. let me think.

[ahpek26]

Ah, manufacturers take 1000 bytes as equal to 1Kb, so if your HDD has 320,000,000,000 bytes, they say your HDD is 320GB.

BUT 1kb is not 1000 bytes, its .... ummm... something else..err. let me think.
aiyo in simple english woo im not tech savvy XD, meaning I cant use 100% of my hdd worh? okie2 hehehe.. simple is nice =P

[mimosa]

ok, juz forget it. :D

My so-called 160GB HDD has actually 149GB, so your 320GB HDD should have 298GB, which you do, so all is fine. :D :cool:

[ahpek26]

ok, juz forget it. :D

My so-called 160GB HDD has actually 149GB, so your 320GB HDD should have 298GB, which you do, so all is fine. :D :cool:

erm question again! (hehe)

my case so "shocking", any suggestion to not get me electricuted in the future? (the outside is 100% metal aiyaaa... xD)

mutha tut stupid case shocked me ahhhh

[mimosa]

Read this for more dizziness on the GB tale :

Gigabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte)

[ahpek26]

Read this for more dizziness on the GB tale :

Gigabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte)
thx, appreciated ^^, then at least I should get 310 gb rawrzor xD, dam cheaters grrr

[mimosa]

Check the connections. There must be some wire touching the case, which shouldn't happen.

[ahpek26]

Check the connections. There must be some wire touching the case, which shouldn't happen.
im using the Xcraft Aluminium casing o.O (regretting now -_-"), its shocking capability is amazing... which is not good =.=

Edit: eh no more shock, when I turned it on got electric shock. Used it like 10 minutes no more, yippi.. what happen o_O

[TiNKeRFY]

if you have "shocking" components, check your computer's cable's earth..
must be leaking somewhere..

[ahpek26]

if you have "shocking" components, check your computer's cable's earth..
must be leaking somewhere..
erm Ic.. thx, but it seems to only appear when I turn it on. after a while the shock is gone =o. anyways.. runs well (I think, lemme let it on for non stop for 1 week see what happens hehehe..)

[kwchang]

Ah, manufacturers take 1000 bytes as equal to 1Kb, so if your HDD has 320,000,000,000 bytes, they say your HDD is 320GB.

BUT 1kb is not 1000 bytes, its .... ummm... something else..err. let me think.
What you were trying to say is actually this ...
1 KByte = 1024 bytes
1 MByte = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB

It is not exactly 1,000 because it is based on the binary counting system which works on base 2 (Our mathematics is actually base 10) and since 1 Byte is 8 bits, a binary code of 1 KB = 2 to the power of 10 which gives 1,024. You can work it out mentally starting from 2 and double the value as you step to the next level ... there are 10 levels ... so here goes = 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024. Do you see the connection with computers? For example when you buy thumbdrives or memory chips, the capacity of thumbdrives and computer memory goes up by these numbers - eg 256MB RAM, 512MB RAM etc.

However, this does not actually explain for the missing memory of the HDD. Remember that both numbers given are in GB - there was no mention of "bytes". When the units are the same (in this case GB) the factor of 1024 does not come into the calculation.

So why the missing memory volume? It is because of the partition. When a harddisk is partitioned, some harddisk space is used to store the information of the format of the harddisk.

If you know how to use the "command" mode of Windows (the one with the black background or otherwise known as DOS mode), and if you were to execute "fdisk", you will find that a new disk would have 2 partitions - one of which will be the "missing" part of the HDD that you cannot see, and thus cannot account for. In my early years, when I was setting up a new harddisk, I thought I was being clever by removing that 'extra' partition - so as to get back the extra space. Guess what? I lost the harddisk completely - Windows could not detect that harddisk after that ! So, don't worry about the 'lost' space, it has been used by the system. No one cheated you - what was sold was the total space but in order for the HDD to work, some space need to be used by the operating system.

[FineTuned]

So you finally got your new toy, eh? Can show any pictures?

About that `shocking' behaviour, it seems that you have one of those problematic power supply adapters because there is no way you should get a shock since the max voltage output is 12 volts to run the HDD. Does your adapter have a three pin AC plug, or is it a two pin one? If you have been given a 2 pin one, get it replaced (they should not be sold in the first place) immediately. These have been known to give shocks due to the missing earth line. Whether or not this will compromise your hard disk in future is something I would not wish to speculate on.

[ahpek26]

What you were trying to say is actually this ...
1 KByte = 1024 bytes
1 MByte = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB

It is not exactly 1,000 because it is based on the binary counting system which works on base 2 (Our mathematics is actually base 10) and since 1 Byte is 8 bits, a binary code of 1 KB = 2 to the power of 10 which gives 1,024. You can work it out mentally starting from 2 and double the value as you step to the next level ... there are 10 levels ... so here goes = 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024. Do you see the connection with computers? For example when you buy thumbdrives or memory chips, the capacity of thumbdrives and computer memory goes up by these numbers - eg 256MB RAM, 512MB RAM etc.

However, this does not actually explain for the missing memory of the HDD. Remember that both numbers given are in GB - there was no mention of "bytes". When the units are the same (in this case GB) the factor of 1024 does not come into the calculation.

So why the missing memory volume? It is because of the partition. When a harddisk is partitioned, some harddisk space is used to store the information of the format of the harddisk.

If you know how to use the "command" mode of Windows (the one with the black background or otherwise known as DOS mode), and if you were to execute "fdisk", you will find that a new disk would have 2 partitions - one of which will be the "missing" part of the HDD that you cannot see, and thus cannot account for. In my early years, when I was setting up a new harddisk, I thought I was being clever by removing that 'extra' partition - so as to get back the extra space. Guess what? I lost the harddisk completely - Windows could not detect that harddisk after that ! So, don't worry about the 'lost' space, it has been used by the system. No one cheated you - what was sold was the total space but in order for the HDD to work, some space need to be used by the operating system.

Nice explanation. But I find the explanation at wikipedia is quite compact & simple (for ppl like me, the pee brain kind hehe).
Anyways, thanks for sharing the info, always welcome :D


So you finally got your new toy, eh? Can show any pictures?

About that `shocking' behaviour, it seems that you have one of those problematic power supply adapters because there is no way you should get a shock since the max voltage output is 12 volts to run the HDD. Does your adapter have a three pin AC plug, or is it a two pin one? If you have been given a 2 pin one, get it replaced (they should not be sold in the first place) immediately. These have been known to give shocks due to the missing earth line. Whether or not this will compromise your hard disk in future is something I would not wish to speculate on.

Pics erk... No camera sry XD, but its nice (black-metal-silverish), I'l try to find online pics =P

Edit:
http://geizhals.at/img/pix/214620.jpg
(Flat top look, the picture is too big, its actually smaller in reality =P)

http://www.rueducommerce.fr/info/images/produits/info/xl/detail-xcraftB.jpg
(Bottom, Fish net kinda hole, Inside got honey-comb-like hole)

http://www.sundialmicro.com/images/products/items/xcraft-1.jpg
(Back, The Port Etc, Mines the RX-3SB, eSATA/1.0/2.0, all cable got provided quite nifty, other goodies inside meh.)

Its 3-Pin, after using it for a while (5-10 minutes), theres no more electricution (fiuh =P).

Oh forgot to mention, its heavy as HELL. And also do not bring this sorta thing into sensor-detecting-pole (the ones at vcd/dvd store, to detect ppl stealing item). Because the sensor with go nuts once you enter/exit the store (yes, quite ashame at KLCC, enter/exit store, tit tit ahh FECK U sensor GRR!!)

[FineTuned]

OOOOOooooo, I want one too!!!! Your RX-3SB comes with the SATA to eSATA bracket in the box, right? Looks like the perfect thing for my HTPC project.

You got it at Pc Fair? How much was it?

That electric shock matter is puzzling - could it be static electricity? You are using it in a carpeted air conditioned room?

[ahpek26]

OOOOOooooo, I want one too!!!! Your RX-3SB comes with the SATA to eSATA bracket in the box, right? Looks like the perfect thing for my HTPC project.

You got it at Pc Fair? How much was it?

That electric shock matter is puzzling - could it be static electricity? You are using it in a carpeted air conditioned room?

Yap got everything inside (eSATA socket etc), around RM438 (320GB, Computerwar).
Pc fair la where else =P.

Eh no, no carpet and not in air conditioned room. But nah its solved already.. I think (well no more electricution I just assume its solved heh). I think its the first time I tried to turned it on when I got shock. After that it runs just fine.

Im using a 4 socket plug + 3 socket plug (the 3 socket connect to 4 socket which connects it the wall plug). Quite scary when I thought about it but hurm.. runs pretty well (so far hehe). Maybe i'l just wait till something blows up then reduce the socket hahaha..

Take caution, the case + hdd is quite heavy hehehe so be prepared! (go lift some weights first =P) Oh forgot to mention! you can use it as a mirror (yup is soo0o0 shiny Hahaha~)

[FineTuned]

Yahooo, ComputerWar, here I come! CoolerMaster definitely more cool than Vantec.... :D

[ahpek26]

Yahooo, ComputerWar, here I come! CoolerMaster definitely more cool than Vantec.... :D
I have no idea, just bought it since.. it has an aluminium case hehehe.. no really, I was looking for sarotech alu. case but.. not available o.O.

[FineTuned]

I have no idea, just bought it since.. it has an aluminium case hehehe.. no really, I was looking for sarotech alu. case but.. not available o.O.
Just got back from PcFair empty handed. The x-craft 360 RX-3SB was all sold out! The Sarotech was going for RM258.00 (without hard disk) - way too expensive for me..... :eek:

[ahpek26]

Just got back from PcFair empty handed. The x-craft 360 RX-3SB was all sold out! The Sarotech was going for RM258.00 (without hard disk) - way too expensive for me..... :eek:
aisey man sry laa, guess I wasnt the only one who likes it hehehe XD. Nvm la wait for the stock to come by la. At the fair I ask can reduce price ah, they say cannot zzz. So dun worry abt the price.. I think not gonna increase even w/o the fair (buy at their store). I think since the sarotech hard box sold out at the 1st day so ppl dun have alot of choice if they want aluminium casing heh.

Oh yah, While I was praying I saw one guy with the same ex-hdd (hehe). I wonder if hes having the tit tit tit problem as I did hahaha... :D dam sensors -_-" Ima bomb it next time if it makes noise another time rawr! :p

[FineTuned]

aisey man sry laa, guess I wasnt the only one who likes it hehehe XD. Nvm la wait for the stock to come by la. ............
Oh yah, While I was praying I saw one guy with the same ex-hdd (hehe). I wonder if hes having the tit tit tit problem as I did hahaha... :D dam sensors -_-" Ima bomb it next time if it makes noise another time rawr! :p
It's okay, it's not the end of the world if I don't get the RX-3SB....just wanted some thrill of splurging at the PcFair yesterday.
Maybe it was just as well I didn't get one - maybe if I also get the tit-tit-tit sensor problem the security guards might jump me. I looked like one of those half crazed bombers, especially after going through the last minute mad crowd squeeze at the fair.
Did you see the mile long queue at the Dell booth? I think Dell easily did RM 10 millions of business over this weekend........ Oh yes, I'm ordering their 22" widescreen LCD monitor online today, at RM899 it's an absolute bargain! The Samsung one (same TN panel) was RM1399 at the fair!

[ahpek26]

It's okay, it's not the end of the world if I don't get the RX-3SB....just wanted some thrill of splurging at the PcFair yesterday.
Maybe it was just as well I didn't get one - maybe if I also get the tit-tit-tit sensor problem the security guards might jump me. I looked like one of those half crazed bombers, especially after going through the last minute mad crowd squeeze at the fair.
Did you see the mile long queue at the Dell booth? I think Dell easily did RM 10 millions of business over this weekend........ Oh yes, I'm ordering their 22" widescreen LCD monitor online today, at RM899 it's an absolute bargain! The Samsung one (same TN panel) was RM1399 at the fair!

Well, last minute is what humans like to do hehe. Erk no didnt see (I came at 1st day of the fair.. so no =P). Well nothing beats online thats for sure.

But the downside is, you cant preview it yourself. Since you already came to the fair, im guessing its not a problem heh =P.

Well, enjoy your really really cheap and big LCD monitor mate :D

[Sugarfree]

erm Ic.. thx, but it seems to only appear when I turn it on. after a while the shock is gone =o. anyways.. runs well (I think, lemme let it on for non stop for 1 week see what happens hehehe..)have you tried touching the metal part of the usb cable when the power is on?! i kena shocked everytime! :eek:

[ahpek26]

have you tried touching the metal part of the usb cable when the power is on?! i kena shocked everytime! :eek:

Used to, but now I think no more. If got also a bit because the Ex-HDD is on but not connected to USB port.