USB hub question

If you are looking at a Dell then don't forget to scan Dell Outlet for refurbs. They may or may not have the combo that you want at any given time - they go quickly - but the savings can be large, or a higher spec for same outlay. Still under same Dell warranty, and there's no waiting.

There are also several Dell Refurb outlets on ebay - I've used X-Stock and would recommend based on 1 purchase - who watch and buy up popular refurb models and resale as Dell Authoised Dealers.

Have bought several Dell refurbs and no problems with any - one was slightly scratched, but that was clear on the description before purchase. (In fact only issue I've had with a Dell was the one time when I bought a new one: unauthorised part substitution on shipping advice docket. When I immediately raised it Dell said to refuse to sign for it, which I did, but then they decided to claim I had authorised it so it took 4 months to get my credit card payment refunded.)

Whoever designed the internal SATA cable wants shooting. I've had one fall off my Samsung CD/DVD writer twice and off a HD once IDE was much more secure. I've never had a problem with eSata cables, even though it's a similar connector.

With respect, I question the logic of using your old machine as a fileserver. Assuming it is something like a Pentium/Core 2 it is likely to be drawing at least around 80-100 watts of continuous power.

With electricity prices where they are this is not an inexpensive solution measured over a few years, especially compared to the alternative which is to buy a new computer - as already decided - with plenty of scope to add disks internally.

And not only does this save on electricity, it also gives you much better transfer speeds for backup.

I would suggest 4 hard disks in a Raid 10 array (a mirrored set of 2 disks), backed up onto a single disk either internally or externally. Although this is not the optimal use of disk space, it is supported by many onboard controllers natively and does not consume excessive processing power.

You can under clock it off course.

I have no idea what you are one about tbh.

Sorry Gwyn.
You can change some settings on how the processor needs to run.
Most of the time user want more performance so they give the processor more electricity and run it at a faster clock to speed it up.
You can also go the other way around and make it run slower and with that reduce the electricity (voltage) you sent to the processor.

It's quite technical though and if not done right your system would run unstable or even brake something although under clocking is quite safe though because you're working well below the maximum margins but if you lower the voltage too much it might get not enough juice sometimes and simply quite so you will need to reboot then.
It's quite fun to do, maybe something for your husband or another geek in the family to spend a weekend on.

here is a little read about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underclocking

If you know what kind of processor and other compenents there are in your PC then you might be able to look up good settings on forums where users share their experiences

I don't know how much you do with watching video's or photos on your pc but if you do that a lot you might consider running a cable from the server PC to the TV, that way you can watch your photos or videos in the living room.
If you've a flat screen with HDMI it's the best to get a cheap videocard that has that as well, that way you just have one cable you need to lay down for video and sound.

I only had a problem with an IDE drive with a bend pin but for the rest everything is quite fine
Last week installed a SSD in my pc and that's really making a difference, everything start up so much faster and no hang ups any more at all.

My computer(s) sit in a soundproofed cabinet. I ran two regular 2metre SATA Cables out to I connected two identiacl DVDr drives, for simulataneously writing two backups.

Now my data has got much for DVDr burning, I can use them to attach a couple fo 2TB regular internal SATA Drives ( cheapish ) and do mass backups easily

With standard SATA drives + leads you also need to run power leads and they won't be hot plugable. I'ts a lot neater using the slide in boxes I mentioned above and have a separate power supply. They also do a housing for 2 drives EasySwap for £48 link

There is a version of eSata that has the power as well in one lead.

SATAp is the name i beleive

I shall let you all continue with your geekspeak.

I have solved my problem albeit in a rather more expensive way than I first thought of.

Thanks for the suggestions even if most of them were incomprehensible .

As far as I am concerned this topic can be closed.