[SOLVED] How to use Corsair MP400 SSD 1TB as external drive?

[Elbert5]

Hi. I have been given a Corsair MP400 NVMe PCle Gen3 x4 M.2 SSD (1 TB). I am told I can buy an enclosure for it, to use it as an external drive, e.g. to back up my new laptop OS. But I know nothing of these SSDs, and cannot find a case/enclosure that matches exactly. Most of the ones on Amazon are Gen2, not Gen 3x4 - does this make a difference? Any suggestions?

 

[USAFRet]

Hi. I have been given a Corsair MP400 NVMe PCle Gen3 x4 M.2 SSD (1 TB). I am told I can buy an enclosure for it, to use it as an external drive, e.g. to back up my new laptop OS. But I know nothing of these SSDs, and cannot find a case/enclosure that matches exactly. Most of the ones on Amazon are Gen2, not Gen 3x4 - does this make a difference? Any suggestions?

That is mostly a waste of a good, fast device.

And yes, the external enclosures are almost all Gen 2.
But...in the context of backups, it doesn't really matter. You're going through the USB bus anyway, which will be the limiting factor.

 

[Elbert5]

I am beginning to think it would be a waste, though if I was going to DIY a PC I might not choose this SSD. Meantime I need a new USB external drive to back up my new laptop OS, so I can replace it with a Linux OS. Having been too irritated by the Microsoft-dominated set up process. And having no funds right now. Will it fit into a Gen2 enclosure and function in one, if the dimensions are right?

 

[USAFRet]

I am beginning to think it would be a waste, though if I was going to DIY a PC I might not choose this SSD. Meantime I need a new USB external drive to back up my new laptop OS, so I can replace it with a Linux OS. Having been too irritated by the Microsoft-dominated set up process. And having no funds right now. Will it fit into a Gen2 enclosure and function in one, if the dimensions are right?

Gen 2/3/4 is just the protocol. Yes, it will fit and work.

Backups?
I use Macrium Reflect for this exclusively. It has literally saved my bacon on more than one occasion.
Physically dead drive -> 100% recovery to a replacement.

 

[Elbert5]

For Windows, I see. I am looking for a good back up system for a relative who is a total technophobe. She is having to abandon Chromebook because the organisation she works for insists on confidential files being sent passworded via email. Chromebook just backs her up online all the time, so no lost usb sticks or external hard drives, no forgetting to back up. So she needs something technophobe-proof, for people with bad memories.

 

[USAFRet]

For Windows, I see. I am looking for a good back up system for a relative who is a total technophobe. She is having to abandon Chromebook because the organisation she works for insists on confidential files being sent passworded via email. Chromebook just backs her up online all the time, so no lost usb sticks or external hard drives, no forgetting to back up. So she needs something technophobe-proof, for people with bad memories.

I don't know.

At some point, the human has to be smarter than the computer, and take matters into their own hands.

There's all sorts of technical solutions that could be done.
A QNAP or Synology NAS, that the PC connects to and has a "home folder". All user data lives in that NAS folder instead of on the PC.
Said NAS also backs up to an offsite location, all by itself behind the scenes.
The "user" does not have to do anything.

Most of my wifes data lives in my NAS box. All she sees is an "S drive". Neither knows nor cares that it is not a physical location in her system, but rather in that little box on the other side of the room under the TV.
In addition, the entire PC runs a nightly image. Save 14 days, deleting the eldest.

Of course, a 'technophobe' would look at that and say "No Way".

 

[Elbert5]

I like the look of the NAS solution. But my relative might be better off with a sync to something Cloud. Or maybe I should use the Corsair SSD and build her something. It is hard to understand but she has real techno problems. Anyway, thanks very much for you help with the enclosure problem.

 

[USAFRet]

I like the look of the NAS solution. But my relative might be better off with a sync to something Cloud. Or maybe I should use the Corsair SSD and build her something. It is hard to understand but she has real techno problems. Anyway, thanks very much for you help with the enclosure problem.

My QNAP will automatically back up to:
iDrive
https://www.idrive.com/

Elephantdrive
https://www.elephantdrive.com/

Amazon S3
http://qnapsupport.net/myqnapcloud-have-your-own-personal-cloud/amazon-s3-nedir-nasil-kullanilir/

Dropbox
https://www.qnap.com/static/landing/2019/hybrid-cloud-news/dropbox/en/index.html

OneDrive
https://www.qnap.com/static/landing/2019/hybrid-cloud-news/onedrive/en/index.html

Any FTP server you designate.


Once set up, the users doesn't have to do a whole lot.

 

[Elbert5]

Thank you for the advice & ideas. Now looking at using the Corsair SSD in a DIY something.