StarTech 4 Bay hard drive Docking Station Question
Discussion
Hi,
I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
Hi,
Bumping this up again as I've just seen a QNAP solution - https://www.ebuyer.com/879063-qnap-tr-004-4-bay-de...
I'd probably use a USB-c to USB3 lead but main question is by using as 4 separate drives, will each one be formatted to NTFS or QNAP's preferred/bespoke type?
I've got multiple hard disks 1/2 TB ones all in NTFS and I'd just like to swap between them easily when required
Cheers, Dennis!
Bumping this up again as I've just seen a QNAP solution - https://www.ebuyer.com/879063-qnap-tr-004-4-bay-de...
I'd probably use a USB-c to USB3 lead but main question is by using as 4 separate drives, will each one be formatted to NTFS or QNAP's preferred/bespoke type?
I've got multiple hard disks 1/2 TB ones all in NTFS and I'd just like to swap between them easily when required
Cheers, Dennis!
It says it can be used as a RAID or direct storage, so depending on how you configure it, it will show as 4, 3, 2 or 1 drives (the last acronym at the end of the RAID format list means 'Just a Bunch of Disks').
My Thunderbolt RAID is configured as 4 individual HDDs of various sizes/types (2 x 4TB HDD, 1 x 2TB HDD, 1 x 1TB SSD) - and all show up individually on the desktop.
Also, if you're planning on swapping out drives whilst the computer/enclosure is powered up, then make sure the enclosure allows 'hot swapping' - otherwise you make cause data loss from pulling out powered up drives (even if they're unmounted from the computer).
My Thunderbolt RAID is configured as 4 individual HDDs of various sizes/types (2 x 4TB HDD, 1 x 2TB HDD, 1 x 1TB SSD) - and all show up individually on the desktop.
Also, if you're planning on swapping out drives whilst the computer/enclosure is powered up, then make sure the enclosure allows 'hot swapping' - otherwise you make cause data loss from pulling out powered up drives (even if they're unmounted from the computer).
Edited by mmm-five on Friday 29th October 08:54
DennisCooper said:
<snip>
I'd probably use a USB-c to USB3 lead but main question is by using as 4 separate drives, will each one be formatted to NTFS or QNAP's preferred/bespoke type?
I've got multiple hard disks 1/2 TB ones all in NTFS and I'd just like to swap between them easily when required
<snip>
Nearly all of these NAS devices are Linux based, and traditionally use Linux filesystems.I'd probably use a USB-c to USB3 lead but main question is by using as 4 separate drives, will each one be formatted to NTFS or QNAP's preferred/bespoke type?
I've got multiple hard disks 1/2 TB ones all in NTFS and I'd just like to swap between them easily when required
<snip>
Unless the device specifically supports it, I doubt if it will read your NTFS formatted disks, and likewise, your (Windows) PC won't be able to read the Linux formatted disks from the NAS.
- There is software available that will permit Linux formatted disks to be read under Windows, but from memory this is usually read only.
I don't believe this is a NAS in itself - just an expansion enclosure to connect to a NAS (which may very well require a different disk format) or directly to a computer, in which case NTFS will be fine.
There's also a range of Yottamaster 2/3/4/5 bay ones on Amazon, for example https://amazon.co.uk/Yottamaster-P500-5-bay-USB3-0... for £160
...or a more 'gaming-focused' one (with flashing lights) for £200.
Review link - https://thepcenthusiast.com/yottamaster-df4ru3-4-b...
Amazon link - https://amazon.co.uk/Enclosure-Yottamaster-Gaming-...
You can set RAID (or not - just use the 'normal/clear' setting) via the dip switches on the back - just don't flip them once you've started putting data on there.
There's also a range of Yottamaster 2/3/4/5 bay ones on Amazon, for example https://amazon.co.uk/Yottamaster-P500-5-bay-USB3-0... for £160
...or a more 'gaming-focused' one (with flashing lights) for £200.
Review link - https://thepcenthusiast.com/yottamaster-df4ru3-4-b...
Amazon link - https://amazon.co.uk/Enclosure-Yottamaster-Gaming-...
You can set RAID (or not - just use the 'normal/clear' setting) via the dip switches on the back - just don't flip them once you've started putting data on there.
Edited by mmm-five on Friday 29th October 13:55
This may be a dumb question, but for home use what is wrong with something like this:
WD 6TB My Cloud Home Personal Cloud
WD 6TB My Cloud Home Personal Cloud
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
Dennis those things are more designed for cloning drives, making backups than permanent storage, if you want something more appropriate, maybe look at something like this:I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y3WDHLD/
Just need 1 USB 3.0 port & a free power outlet and it wil lbe something designed for the job.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
This may be a dumb question, but for home use what is wrong with something like this:
WD 6TB My Cloud Home Personal Cloud
I guess that's fine if you have no storage already, and just want a single storage/back-up solution...but I believe the OP has many bare HDDs already and want's something to put them in and without taking up 4 power and USB sockets.WD 6TB My Cloud Home Personal Cloud
techguyone said:
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
Dennis those things are more designed for cloning drives, making backups than permanent storage, if you want something more appropriate, maybe look at something like this:I'm thinking to buy one of these from Ebuyer;
https://www.ebuyer.com/665220-startech-com-usb-3-0...
I'd like to know that if I connect it to one of my free USB3.0 ports, will each drive show up independently in Windows ? I'd like to avoid having to get 4 separate external hard drive enclosures, their power supples and wiring.
Cheers, Dennis!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y3WDHLD/
Just need 1 USB 3.0 port & a free power outlet and it wil lbe something designed for the job.
Hi,
Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
Anything like the thing I advised has 1 power outlet and one USB outlet for 4 or even 5 drives, it'll be recognised on any Windows PC, no RAID or NAS to fiddle with, I don't see how it can get any simpler, hell it doesn't even need a power brick, plug it into power, plug it into USB on the PC , turn on.Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
Only caution I'd make is that bare 3.5" mechanical drives aren't terribly robust, so be careful with them if the data you're taking to/from those remote locations is important.
Personally I'd go with a 4 bay NAS enclosure and use a 512GB SSD to go to/from the remote sites, but I tend to want files accessible from anywhere on the LAN rather than a specific PC.
Personally I'd go with a 4 bay NAS enclosure and use a 512GB SSD to go to/from the remote sites, but I tend to want files accessible from anywhere on the LAN rather than a specific PC.
techguyone said:
...hell it doesn't even need a power brick, plug it into power, plug it into USB on the PC , turn on.
If it's the Sabrent one, then it does indeed need a power brick.There's no way you're going to power 4 HDDs with the power from a USB connection.
There are some with a PSU inside the case, but this can cause heat issues.
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
16TB are at about that price...but I wouldn't trust a single disk with all my data anyway - and a multiple partition strategy does not mitigate against disk failure.Thanks to each of you for responding !
Yes, I have multiple bare hard drives 10 or so 1&2TB drives a couple 4TB's and 1 10TB (I need to crack this one out of it's WD enclosure as it's out of warranty now - i think!)
3/4 of the 2TB disks will be dedicated to holding all my music collection CD's once ripped to a 1:1 quality digital copy file. I'll perhaps then use that new 'master' to copy to another disk in lossless format or a moderately compressed format (still need to decide here) other disks will be similar but for films and a few more disks dedicated to my extensive photo's storage and soon to be plenty more photos that I will be taking.
Some of those disks I may want to take to a number of specific PC's between locations, so being able to remove from home, take to another PC, plug in and its recognised rightaway and be useable would be great. I can then add files at that location and when needed, pop the drive back out and bring home and plug into the QNAP and it then is available
If the QNAP can indeed be used like this, I'd be happy with the 4 bays, I'd love the 10 bay item, and may go for it if I decide to locate in a nearby room and use a long 10m USB lead !
For now I don't need RAID etc - Just don't want multiple plug sockets used up for power and needing loads of USB sockets - just one 'box' as it were!
Are 40 TB hard drives here yet for £350 ?!!
Cheers, Dennis!
I have a 4-bay enclosure for 'cool storage', a couple of SSDs for boot OS (dual boot Mac & Windows) and a couple of 4-8tb external HDDs for 'colder' storage/backups. Plus a handful of 'ruggedised' Crucial, Lacie & Sabrent SSDs/HDDs for travelling.
mmm-five said:
If it's the Sabrent one, then it does indeed need a power brick.
There's no way you're going to power 4 HDDs with the power from a USB connection.
There are some with a PSU inside the case, but this can cause heat issues.
Yea, I probably got mixed up with the other 4 bay one posted earlier that did have an internal power supply, review never felt that heat build-up was an issue in that case.There's no way you're going to power 4 HDDs with the power from a USB connection.
There are some with a PSU inside the case, but this can cause heat issues.
Hi,
Thanks again everyone!
This 4 bay Icy Box is the one I think I need based on the response above which was for a 10 bay version which I don't have space for.
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4-bay-icy-box-ib-3...
Provided it does indeed keep the NTFS format, I've got to wait till it's back in stock !
Cheers, Dennis!
Thanks again everyone!
This 4 bay Icy Box is the one I think I need based on the response above which was for a 10 bay version which I don't have space for.
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4-bay-icy-box-ib-3...
Provided it does indeed keep the NTFS format, I've got to wait till it's back in stock !
Cheers, Dennis!
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
Thanks again everyone!
This 4 bay Icy Box is the one I think I need based on the response above which was for a 10 bay version which I don't have space for.
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4-bay-icy-box-ib-3...
Provided it does indeed keep the NTFS format, I've got to wait till it's back in stock !
Cheers, Dennis!
Amazon Germany has it (I think) it doe seem hard to get hold of, if you do get one, let me know how it goes, I'm in the market for something like that when my new driveless (bar SSD) PC arrives.Thanks again everyone!
This 4 bay Icy Box is the one I think I need based on the response above which was for a 10 bay version which I don't have space for.
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4-bay-icy-box-ib-3...
Provided it does indeed keep the NTFS format, I've got to wait till it's back in stock !
Cheers, Dennis!
Edited by techguyone on Thursday 4th November 20:58
Hi,
After a few weeks saying Pre Order and expected stock as of 2nd week January 2022, it's just turned up a month early from Scan !
Just managed to set it up with some older drives I had lying around and all seems good, will be changing each drive to larger ones over some time and selling the older spare ones off - aim is to have perhaps 4 x 8 TB drives
Each drive shows up on my laptop separately which is exactly what I wanted. I'll test it further in due course - as much as it's possible to test these things! but so far I'm more than happy with it at £150 or so!
Cheers, Dennis!
After a few weeks saying Pre Order and expected stock as of 2nd week January 2022, it's just turned up a month early from Scan !
Just managed to set it up with some older drives I had lying around and all seems good, will be changing each drive to larger ones over some time and selling the older spare ones off - aim is to have perhaps 4 x 8 TB drives
Each drive shows up on my laptop separately which is exactly what I wanted. I'll test it further in due course - as much as it's possible to test these things! but so far I'm more than happy with it at £150 or so!
Cheers, Dennis!
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
After a few weeks saying Pre Order and expected stock as of 2nd week January 2022, it's just turned up a month early from Scan !
Just managed to set it up with some older drives I had lying around and all seems good, will be changing each drive to larger ones over some time and selling the older spare ones off - aim is to have perhaps 4 x 8 TB drives
Each drive shows up on my laptop separately which is exactly what I wanted. I'll test it further in due course - as much as it's possible to test these things! but so far I'm more than happy with it at £150 or so!
Cheers, Dennis!
How noisy is it, can you control fan speed, does it get hot?After a few weeks saying Pre Order and expected stock as of 2nd week January 2022, it's just turned up a month early from Scan !
Just managed to set it up with some older drives I had lying around and all seems good, will be changing each drive to larger ones over some time and selling the older spare ones off - aim is to have perhaps 4 x 8 TB drives
Each drive shows up on my laptop separately which is exactly what I wanted. I'll test it further in due course - as much as it's possible to test these things! but so far I'm more than happy with it at £150 or so!
Cheers, Dennis!
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff