[xp] WD external drive problems
I have a WD external drive that's not working (model WD800B05-RNN). Paid a pretty penny for it almost 3 yrs ago, runs on AC power and USB 2.0 connection. Someone at C. City told me it probably is fried because they are 'notoriously touchy and a surge can toast them'. I plug it in, lights come on (steady lights on Desktop, Blinking on Notebook). No spinning is heard. On my desktop (XP Pro, SP2) it's not recognized as a USB device plugged in or as a drive. On my notebook (XP Home SP2), it is recognized as a usb device (when I plug it in I get the message it will run slow as it's plugged into a non 2.0 USB port). But the drive is still not recognized under My Computer on the notebook either.
I don't need to get data off of it, it's strictly for backup and all data is also currently stored on internal drives.
I do however, need an external for backup because I don't trust my aging mobo much these days and a rebuild will be in order soon (drat!) ;)
Two questions if you please:
1) Do you think the WD external is toast?
2) Any recommendations for a good external to purchase? I'm willing to spend up to $150. I have 160GB internal (5 partitions) and have used only a little over 25% of that space. So 150GB or so for external would be more than ample for backup storage, but I always try to 'buy ahead' (allowing room for future growth ;) I've read reviews at newegg and C. City. Very conflicting. What newegg users rave about CCity reviewers despise (WDs are not getting great reviews).
TIA
~Kat
