internal to external "conversion"

[cjp356]

Hi there,
I have a CD/RW drive sitting in a box that isn't being used.

I would like to move the drive to my current computer, but I don't have the internal space; i was thinking of making it external, but then the problem of connecting it to the compuyter arises (its an IDE drive); does anyone know if i can 'convert' it to scsi or if i can somehow interface the IDE externally?

thanks,

jerry

 

[Possessed Freak]

There are USB drive cases that convert IDE to USB.

 

[Mikendi]

Cheaper still is an Iwill SideRaid card - they have the two internal channels and an external 40 pin IDE.

 

[randypj]

Heck, my 4x was always perfectly happy living outside the case without a housing unit. I secured it to the case with a bungee cord. I used ~36" ribbon and some Y power connectors. However, I would suggest, if possible, that if you do this, you use 80-wire (ATA/66/100), since it is a rather long run. You can possibly get some 80-wire custom cut.
--Randy

 

[cjp356]

you guys are too cool!
thanks for all of your help.
jerry

 

[hirschma]

I have a USB based CD-R/W, and I can tell you that performance SUCKS. Moreover, it soaks the USB bus, so any devices on that bus (like mice and stuff) get a bit sluggish... at least under Win98.

If you want to go for the deluxe ride, you can get a case like this:

MacAlly Firewire-->ATAPI Case

Other folks make that stuff too, hopefully for less. Of course, this is only useful if you have firewire on your machine (or need it for something else, like a camcorder), but it'd be your best bet outside of a running IDE and power connections outside your case.

jonathan

 

[hirschma]

I have a USB based CD-R/W, and I can tell you that performance SUCKS. Moreover, it soaks the USB bus, so any devices on that bus (like mice and stuff) get a bit sluggish... at least under Win98.

If you want to go for the deluxe ride, you can get a case like this:

MacAlly Firewire-->ATAPI Case

Other folks make that stuff too, hopefully for less. Of course, this is only useful if you have firewire on your machine (or need it for something else, like a camcorder), but it'd be your best bet outside of a running IDE and power connections outside your case.

jonathan

 

[Zepper]

Yes, I agree with the other replies, mostly. The external IDE cob job is definitely the cheapest. Other than that I would say that unless your burner is 4x or less, I would go with a Firewire kit. You can get a firewire adapter card on www.compgeeks.com for less than $25. The drive housing kit is various prices depending on mfr. If your drive is 4x or less than you can use a USB external kit of which there are many mfrs and prices vary widely. OTTH, why not just replace your existing CD ROM drive with it? You'll just have to copy stuff from CDs to your hard drive first, then back onto the burned CD--which gives better results in most cases anyway. That is unless your burner's read speed is much slower than your regular drive's. OTFH, a new case and power supply with much more space for expansion can be had for less than $40. Just move all your parts over.
Do you have enough options now ???
.bh.
JIC... JIC=Just In Case, OTTH=On The Third Hand, OTFH=...Fourth... .bh.