How long do they last? Why and how do they crash? if they crash, is there a way to save any of my stuff? is it bad to keep it connected all the time? anything else i should know? thanks.
An external hard drive is a hard drive the exact same as inside your computer, but inside a plastic/metal case that has a connection converter to USB.
I've had an 80 GB Acom Data external hard drive for the better part of five years now and I've never had any problems with it, and I leave it connected and powered on all the time.
Ive had a Western Digital 120 gb hard drive and nothings gone wrong for me yet w/ it. A lot of external hard drives now a days have protection on it incase it decides to get unexpectingly pulled out. Id suggest when you go buy one to make sure to find one thats a known company and one that you cant hear the moving parts inside if it has any... plus if you purchase it at staples Id suggest getting the 1-3 year insurance thing you can get on it thru the store incase your external drive decides to break.