I have a boatload of music on my computer. Somewhere upwards of 45-50 gigs. Most of it are entire live shows that could be irreplaceable one day. So I have been thinking about getting an external HD to keep them on so if my PC gets fried I won't lose them all. Plus I could free up some space on my PC. I'm guessing a USB connection would be best since I don't have firewire capabilities. I just don't know anything about these things. Basically I need to know if they are all pretty much the same, what I should be looking for/not looking for, and about what I should be expecting to spend. I would greatly appreciate any help lended. Thanks.

-tb

Build your own. Buy the drive and case and assemble it yourself.....

Plus I could free up some space on my PC.If you just move files and don't have copies then bear in mind that you will not be backed-up - you will just have your precious files in one location - and hence still vulnerable since backup drives are no more secure than primary locations.

I agree - get a standard case (http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=92&Tpk=hard+disk+enclosure) and a drive of your own choosing. USB is just about ubiquitous nowadays; firewire and eSATA are more of niche areas. You cant get quite such large capacity with 2.5" laptop drives but they are very handy and portable and can usually obviate the need for any additional power supply.