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CompGeeks USB Hard Drive Enclose $21!

how different are 2.5 HD vs 3.5 HD connectors? Could I connect a 3.5 HD to this thing (I don't care about the case, I just need a cheap solution to use my 3.5mb drive with my notebook). I can always build my own case ...
 
hk29. the connectors are too different for a plug it in and it works fit. The first consideration would be how to power the 3.5 drives since they require both 12v and 5v feed. Off hand, I don't know know the power output of usb but i doubt it would be even enough to spin up a 3.5 hd. If you can tackle that hurdle then you would just need to make an adapter to connect the ide portion of the 3.5 to the 2.5 connector. Is it worth the hassle to do all this? I would say its too much hassle when there are methods of transferring data.
 
I just got mine last night. Paid $29+6 s/h=$35 (argh!). It's a lot smaller than the picture would indicate! It's only an inch or so larger than your notebook hd (in both dimensions).
 


<< how different are 2.5 HD vs 3.5 HD connectors? Could I connect a 3.5 HD to this thing (I don't care about the case, I just need a cheap solution to use my 3.5mb drive with my notebook). I can always build my own case ... >>



The adapters are readily available on the internet. I'll update with links as soon as I find them...

Here.

They're only $3.65 from the same place.
 
Is it too slow?
Does it have to be set up on the computer or can I just PnP on one computer and transfer info to another?
 
Is that USB connector compatible with a desktop USB port?

So if I got the adapter I could use a 20gig ide drive and connect to either a notebook or a desktop? 3.5 Drive probably wouldn't fit in the case though. What about drivers that are needed?
 
The adapter Edit mentioned will do the conversion from ide 40 pin to laptop 44 pin. I use one on my desktop to access laptop drives and it works. The only thing that would be in question is how u will power the 3.5 drive.
 
I don't understand. The add says it is USB powered. Are you saying that the 3.5 will draw that much more power than the 2.5 such that it will not work, or are you saying there is a different power input for the 2.5? (i.e., 2.5 doesn't have the typical molex adapter?)

Update:
Ok, I see what you're saying. I guess you'd need an adapter of sorts to go from the internal usb driven power for the 2.5 to the molex for the 3.5. Seems like a little creative soldering might work if the power coming across the usb connection is sufficient to power a 3.5 drive. What do you think?
 
Basically, laptop drives feed off just 5v and desktop drives use both 12v and 5v. I doubt the usb enclosure would provide anything but the 5v necessary to power a laptop drive.Also, laptop drives at their max typically draw only 5 watts or so and much less after spin up. I don't think the power from a laptop usb port would be enough to even allow a 3.5 drive to spin up.
 
I see...but if I did get a 2.5 notebook drive for this unit then I should be able to connect to any PC and transfer files after the driver is installed on the PC, right?

Well, nevermind! Might as well get a regular usb ide 3.5 enclosure since I already have an extra 20gig ide drive and buying the notebook drive + 2.5 enclosure will cost just as much for only 4 gig!

 
Yeah. Laptop drives are relatively inexpensive these days. So, laptop drive + this usb enclosure would make a good portable drive solution if u need to transport stuff around. Unrelated to this thread, I bought two of those 2.5 to 3.5 hard drive connectors and built custom enclosures to be able to slide in laptop drives into 5 1/4 bays when i wanted to download huge files at work to bring home. I found it is much easier to carry around laptop drives and they are far more durable than ide drives.
 
If u regularly transport files to the same locations and there are free ide connectors availble then removable drive racks are the least expensive method and are the fastest method available.
 
SolderSucker,
any Idea where I can get a hot deal on a USB 2.0 enclosure? I am wanting one that will hold my 3.5" ide drives AND be able to hold a full size CDR when I want it to.
 
I picked one of these up a month ago and can't get it recognized either on my desktop or laptop. Seems to get enough juice, but I don't have time to do the serious debugging and the manual is...well, the manual is a bit thin.
 
Yep - still trying to diagnose power problems... I just have hangs in the middle of large transfers....

On some machines, not a problem, on others, it is.... Still looking for voltage info on the power inlet....

-H
 
I really can't recommend these things to anyone... I bought one a couple months back and I can't get it to work in either Windows (with either the included drivers or the ones from the web) or in Linux with the Buslink driver for the same chipset.

The only thing I really like about this product is its packaging. It was almost worth $30 to get the box with "No bassle!" printed in large letters on it. And the installation instructions, which I couldn't follow because I didn't have a "Hoppy drive".

Seriously, pay the $60 to get Compgeeks' nice silver enclosure that will do both USB and Firewire...

James
 
What about a notebook CD-Rom drive? Can you use the connector on this for a CD-rom drive? I realize that the case is small, but is the connectors and power the same requirements on a CDrom vs HD.

TIA (everyone has been most helpful)
 


<< Seriously, pay the $60 to get compgeeks' nice silver enclosure that will do both USB and Firewire... >>

Sounds good, but I cannot find it on their site. Can you provide a link, or tell me where to look?

Thanks!
 
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