[asian_al]

Hello. I would like to know if it is possible to "mod" if you will, an ordinary internal hard drive so that it maybe used as an external (USB) hard drive. I believe that it is possible... I mean why not? I would also like to know the positives and the negatives of an external hard drive versus an internal hard drive. I heard that external hard drive run slower. Thank you for any help. I am thankfull for any help that can be provided.

-asian_al

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Of course you can! you can get a IDE -> USB type of connection or the whole external enclosure. External drives are a bit slower because they have to go through USB or Firewire. There is higher latency and uses a few more CPU cycles, and the throughput using those connections is a bit lower. In real world performance you won't notice of a difference, but it's no fun transferring a lot of large files over USB 1.1 though, I would recommend a USB 2.0 or firewire connection

First you'll need to know what connection your hard drive uses. For standard 3.5" internal desktop drives there are IDE and SATA (newer interface)



AMS VENUS are the best hard drive enclosures I have used:

IDE USB 2.0:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145656

IDE USB 2.0 + firewire:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145657

SATA USB 2.0:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145660

They a bit more expensive than some others you can find, but they are designed well, have reliable chipsets, and keep the drives cool w/ an 80mm fan. Remember this is a harddrive that's going in there with a lot of your data so it's a good investment. I have seen a couple hdds die in other enclosures that couldn't cool the drive or had a chipset that didn't play nice. If you want to search for more the key words are "external enclosure" and then look out for the size:

2.5": fits laptop harddrives
3.5": fits standard desktop internal hdds
5.25":fits CD/DVD ROM drives



And here's a IDE to USB adapter, also includes a power supply that will plug into the molex and power the drive. Works with 2.5" 3.5" and 5.25" drives. I haven't tried it but there are a lot of positive reviews:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16812156101

Edited by MNOB07, 29 June 2006 - 07:06 PM.

[MNOB07]

Of course you can! you can get a IDE -> USB type of connection or the whole external enclosure. External drives are a bit slower because they have to go through USB or Firewire. There is higher latency and uses a few more CPU cycles, and the throughput using those connections is a bit lower. In real world performance you won't notice of a difference, but it's no fun transferring a lot of large files over USB 1.1 though, I would recommend a USB 2.0 or firewire connection

First you'll need to know what connection your hard drive uses. For standard 3.5" internal desktop drives there are IDE and SATA (newer interface)



AMS VENUS are the best hard drive enclosures I have used:

IDE USB 2.0:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145656

IDE USB 2.0 + firewire:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145657

SATA USB 2.0:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817145660

They a bit more expensive than some others you can find, but they are designed well, have reliable chipsets, and keep the drives cool w/ an 80mm fan. Remember this is a harddrive that's going in there with a lot of your data so it's a good investment. I have seen a couple hdds die in other enclosures that couldn't cool the drive or had a chipset that didn't play nice. If you want to search for more the key words are "external enclosure" and then look out for the size:

2.5": fits laptop harddrives
3.5": fits standard desktop internal hdds
5.25":fits CD/DVD ROM drives



And here's a IDE to USB adapter, also includes a power supply that will plug into the molex and power the drive. Works with 2.5" 3.5" and 5.25" drives. I haven't tried it but there are a lot of positive reviews:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16812156101

Edited by MNOB07, 29 June 2006 - 07:06 PM.

[asian_al]

THANK YOU!!! This helps a lot. I couldn't have asked for more information (help) on this subject. I would like to thank you for your help!

-asian_al

[MNOB07]

I'm happy to help