cheapest way to add an (external) hard drive

[Zablyplux]

So, if you somehow ran out of bays, and didn't really want to remove anything or get a new case, what's the cheapest way to add a new, external hard drive? The USB and firewire drives seem about $100 more than their internal counterparts, and I've seen external casings for hard drives for around $50... Are they found cheaper, anywhere? I don't really care about size or power requirements or looks or anything... Firewire would be nice though USB 2.0 is alright too, but cheaper is definately a plus.

 

[LED]

If you still have an IDE connection available you can mount the HD to the floor of the case or use an L bracket underneath the bays...The enternal cases are nice because you can switch them out.

 

[Zablyplux]

Good idea, I'll be all ghetto and add mountings in my case, I hadn't thought of that... Are there things I should or shouldn't do/be aware of? Like, is it a bad idea to mount a drive directly to the bottom of the case or something?

 

[LED]

Like, is it a bad idea to mount a drive directly to the bottom of the case or something?

No problems with mines and they were on them for years...also if you have an old erector set or go to the Hardware Store you can mount or rig up something that'll attach under the bottom bay to slip the drives in.

 

[Jolt2]

Hard drives can be mounted on their sides also. Most desktop cases have their hard drives mounted on their side. I have taken two straps and just drilled two holes at each end of the straps. Take the two screws out that hold the floppy drive in and use those screws for mounting the top of the straps. Next, use the bottom holes in the straps to mount the hard drive. All hard drives I have seen have screw mounting holes in their bottoms. The hard drive is now mounted below the floppy drive, hanging sideways. That leaves room for air flow from a front case fan.

If you did not have any IDE ports to connect to, then buy a IDE - PCI card and add that to your system. I have found these card for around $10 on sale.