external enclosures

I am thinking of buying an external enclosure so that I can download stuff at school and put it on a CD or a spare HDD..
not to mention that it would be nice to have a external HDD time to time, but it seems much cheaper to buy a external enclosure and use a spare HDD then to buy an actual one, they are way too expensive.., and this way I can put my DVD burner or something into it if I need to sometime..

I would like one that will allow me to easily switch between drives, any advice?
I have heard some are a pain in the ass to switch to different HDD's, ect.

also, is one with a fan worth it?, I think I may leave it on for hours sometimes.., and possibly forget about it leaving it on for even longer
or will it only get that hot if it is being constantly written to?

thanx in advanced,
Byan

If you have USB at all locations you want to use, look at the "USB Compact Flash" units. At http://www.pricewatch.com look in memory, then flash, then USB Compact Flash. They start at $10, and you can put it in your pocket, like a cigarette lighter. They go up to 4 Gb.

I have a sandisk 256mb that died.., and I am looking into a replacement for it

I am really looking for a nice external enclosure.., sometimes a gig isn't enough and if you go higher then that, they get really expensive.
I forgot to mention last time that I am looking for a 5.25" one.., one that can fit a 3.5" HDD in it if needed..

I was looking at this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145314
it has a bunch of reviews and the price is right..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byan

I have a sandisk 256mb that died.., and I am looking into a replacement for it

I am really looking for a nice external enclosure.., sometimes a gig isn't enough and if you go higher then that, they get really expensive.
I forgot to mention last time that I am looking for a 5.25" one.., one that can fit a 3.5" HDD in it if needed..

I was looking at this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817145314
it has a bunch of reviews and the price is right..

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This is not the MODEL that I've used, but I have two Bytec external enclosures, one for a 20gig HD, and the other for a 250meg zip drive. Both are now USB 2.0 connections, and work perfectly. I might mention that this is the only brand of external case that I've tried that would correctly drive the ZIP drive. Apparently it takes more current on the 5volt side that MOST of the external PS' provide.

Can't say anything bad about it... but I DON'T routinely swap drive in my case. There may be a better solution (external case with tray-loading perhaps) if you need to often change the drive itself.

I was looking around, and I found this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...195550118&rd=1

I think this may be exactly what I need..., the external enclosure would just be a pain..

If you are going to try to run a standard hard drive from a USB socket, a lot of those are limited to very little current. I would advise getting one that had a power supply, if you want to use it on "any" computer.

Also some motherboards have a very small fuse on certain sockets. My PCChips MoBo, has one on the PS-2 jack for the mouse, and if you unplug and replug it when the power is on, it blows that fuse and then you can no longer use the PS-2 Mouse. It cost me a MoBo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick Harvey

If you are going to try to run a standard hard drive from a USB socket, a lot of those are limited to very little current. I would advise getting one that had a power supply, if you want to use it on "any" computer.

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the adapter on the auction comes with a PSU
I would not be interested in one that didn't...

I havent seen an adapter that tries to run an IDE HDD using power from USB...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byan

the adapter on the auction comes with a PSU
I would not be interested in one that didn't...

I havent seen an adapter that tries to run an IDE HDD using power from USB...

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I've got one of these (or a similar product) as well, and it works ok for me. I decided NOT to use it for the HD that I truck around with me all the time, just because I don't like the HD itself exposed to dirt, moisture, etc.. But if you're planning on using it only sporadically, it may do the job.

I opted for the external enclosure myself... ;)

Pricewatch has a cable, with power supply for this. Go to cables, then to USB to IDE. The second entry, in that group will do what you want to do. It is USB-2.0. I think it was $21 http://www.pricewatch.com/h/blank.as...d&Item=5508482

Well that link only came up with a 6 digit number. Go to it this way. http://www.pricewwatch.com then go to "cables", then to "USB to IDE". The second entry has a power supply.

I know this is not what the original thread was asking about... but be advised... these "cable and p/s" solutions are exactly what I was warning about in regard to ZIP drives.

Unlike a full external enclosure solution, these cable and power-supply solutions typically don't provide enough current on the 5volt side to run SOME drives. I believe most HD's will work, and they CLAIM that any optical drive will work (don't know, haven't tested them), but I can tell you for CERTAIN that a ZIP drive isn't compatible with this product.

So long as it's a HD being used, I think it is a safe alternative... :cool:

If what you are saying about the zip drive drawing that much current, the USB Jack DEFINITELY wont power it, and MUST have its own power supply. Maybe a heavier power supply model. Being in an enclosure or not is only plastic and has nothing to do with the power requirements. A number of USB 2.0 cards say they only will pass 1/2 amp, (500 Ma.)

Doesn't that zip drive require 12 volts also?

well, it sounds good to me.., so I think I am gonna go for it and get one

I am planning to not use it on any one drive at any time.., so this would be perfect

thanx again,
Byan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick Harvey

If what you are saying about the zip drive drawing that much current, the USB Jack DEFINITELY wont power it, and MUST have its own power supply. Maybe a heavier power supply model. Being in an enclosure or not is only plastic and has nothing to do with the power requirements. A number of USB 2.0 cards say they only will pass 1/2 amp, (500 Ma.)

Doesn't that zip drive require 12 volts also?

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Yup, but these enclosureless solutions normally have PLENTY of current on the 12v side, it's just the 5v side I've seen problems with, and to be fair, I've never had any trouble with anything other than a (designed to be internal) zip drive. But, I went round and round before I figured out what was wrong, so I try to pass that little tidbit on when applicable.

I've NEVER had a similar problem with a real HD, and even though my solutions all use USB 2.0 connections, all of my external enclosures have their own built-in power supply. The drive would have to be truly miniscule, and designed purposely to be able to work off the USB port power itself.