How to connect a regular desktop 3.5 IDE HDD to a Laptop

[aanooo]

I have recently accquired a NEC powermate 2000 all in one lcd computer it uses a laptop size 2.5" HDD. It came without a HDD but the HDD connector sticks out of the side so i just want to be able to use a regular 3.5" hdd rather than having to shell out $ for the expensive 2.5" Hdd but I am not sure if its at all possible. If not is it possible to boot the system from a USB HDD, the Bios does not have a USB boot option. Its an intel 810 chipset celeron 466mhz 256MB cd/dvd. I have checked the machine with an old 1.2 gb 2.5" drive to see if the machine was in working condition.

 

[hjo3]

You could do it with a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter and some gender-changers. AFAIK, no one makes an straight adapter to use desktop HDs in notebooks.

EDIT:
For example:

Get one of these:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cablesonline/44pinmalidc2.html

And one of these:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cablesonline/1840pinto44p.html

Voila.

 

[Zepper]

Actually notebook drives run on only 5 Volts while desktop drives require 12 Volts as well for their motors. So you will have to do some modding to rig up a standard drive power connector with both 5V and 12V to your drive. Wondering if that machine even has 12V at the power supply - maybe for the screen???
. Probably be better to just get a notebook drive. There are places around the web to get refurbs at a not so outrageous price.
.bh.

 

[aanooo]

Thanks guys looks like I'll have to shell out the $ and get a 2.5

 

[Zepper]

Another idea. Does that thing have any unused card slots and what kind of card slots are they? Maybe you could put in a standard drive controller and then rig the power. Worse to worse, you could rig a 12V regulated wall wart to run the drive motor. Might total out cheaper than a notebook drive.
.bh.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Actually notebook drives run on only 5 Volts while desktop drives require 12 Volts as well for their motors

Oh, hah, I assumed this system would be stationary so he could just hook up a small ATX PSU to the 3.5" HD (just short the green wire to any of the black ones). Didn't think a 3.5" drive would fit inside the laptop...? But anyway.