What is it?
Almost every computer includes a disk drive, in spite of the fact that these dinosaurs of the computer industry offer limited storage space and slow access times. The paltry 1.44MB diskette capacity of yesterday is clearly not enought to handle the documents, graphics, and Internet downloads of today, and many companies have answered this call for larger, yet reasonably-priced storage devices with removable disk drives. Thisdrives, and their respective media, come in a variety of capacities, shapes and sizes, so whether you are looking for a complement to your desktop PC, a portable device for your notebook computer, or a drive that is capable of switching easily between the two, take a few moments to find the drive that best meets your storage needs.

Why would I need it?
Because your existing disk drive :

• Limits you to smaller capacity disks (1.44MB)
• Forces you to delete files to free up space
• Doesn't allow you to backup your hard drive
• Isn't portable or versatile enough to meet your needs

Removable disk drives are light-weight, compact, and convenient storage devices-perfect for mobile professionals and home computer users alike. They can store of large amount of data on durable cartidges to provide superior protection against dirt, heat, and moisture. And, unlike CDs, you don't have to worry about tiny scratches that can render your media useless! 

	Click! PC Card	Zip Drive	Jaz Drive	Orb Drive
Protable	X
Instant Storage	X	X	X	X
Capacity	40MB	250MB	2GB	2.2GB
Compatibility	PC	PC	PC & MAC	PC

How do I install and use it?
Before installing or attaching any component to your computer, read and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefuly. 

The purchase of a retail kit makes the upgrade process easier and usually include an interface cable, a power cable, and software that helps install your new removable disk drive. 

Begin by shutting down your computer and removing the case. Ground yourself by touching the metal frame of the computer before you reach for any internal components. 

Removable drives mount in your 3.5-inch half-height drive bay, which is a shelf inside your computer that allows only the face of the drive to show. 

Unscrew the existing drive's brackets, gently slide it out of the bay, and carefully study how the cables are connected so that you can easily install the new drive. Disconnect the drive's power and interface and connect the new drive as shown. Replace the computer case and install any required software or drivers that came with the drive or visit the manufacturer's website for downloads. 

External drives are installed by simply connecting the interface between the drive and computer and running any software provided. 

How do I go about buying one?
There are a few important specifications that will make upgrading your disk drive worth the time and money. You must determine if you want an internal or external drive, and then the type of interface. Also, take into consideration whether the manufacturer pays close attention to future compatibility issuses or not. Some companies are committed to offering a smooth upgrade path, meaning that the newer drives are compatible with older media. 

Interface :The interface is the connection between your disk drive and computer. Your disk drive uses this link to send and receive data. The dwcision between interface comes down to a matter of personal preference and portability. First, take into consideration if you would like to upgrade to an internal drive, which installs directly into your computer, or an external drive, which sits next to your desktop PC or travels on the road with your notebook computer.

Internal drives use SCSI or EIDE  interface : 

EIDE(Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics): EIDE Interfaces often boast Plug and Play capability, which means that Windows 95 or 98 will automatically recognize your new DVD drive, making the installation process quick and easy. If you want to add an IDE-based DVD drive, you also must also add an IDE interface card. However, the majority of the computer systems today already use an EIDE interface.

External drives use Parallel Port, PCMCIA, and USB interfaces :  

Parallel Port:Parallel ports connect to you computer's printer port and usually include a printer pass-through, which allows you to connect both the drive and printer simultaneously. This saves from having to connect and reconnect the drive and printer when using one or the other. Parallel port connectors are typically more convenient than PC Cards, but offer slower data rates.

PCMCIA(personal Computer Memory Card International Association): A PCMCIA card, or PC Card, is a credit card-sized device that slides into a PC Card slot. This interface is common to notebook computer users and is known more for its convenience than performance. PC Card slots are often used for more than one device and constant swapping usually results in wear and tear on the slot.

USB(Universal Serial Bus) : USB is a newer interface type and is faster than parallel port, but slower than PCMCIA. Your computer will automatically recognize any USB device as soon as it's plugged in and up to 127 devices can be added to one USB port. It's likely USB will replace parallel ports in the near future..

The Best Interface: Stick With What You Got
Why make things difficult? Look for a drive with the same interface that your current system uses. This will eliminate the need to purchase an additional interface card or risk hardware conflicts.

Internal or External? Desktop or Notebook?
While internal drives preserve precious desk space, external drives are light-weight devices that allow you to share the drive between two or more computers. In addition, internal drives require installation, which may be difficult for inexperienced users.

Future Compatibility
Some manufacturers acknowledge the importance of future compatibility and design their products to be "backwards" compatible. This means that your new drive will work with the most current, high-capacity media, as well as with the disk generation before it. Be sure to read the drive's specifications carefully so that you know which media is compatible with your new removable disk drive.