what is the best way to hook up a 2.5'' hdd?

[konakona]

After a disastrous experience I had with my previous laptop, they managed to salvage the hdd out of it and gave it back to me (long story, not gonna get into that)

Anyhow, now I got this hdd with stuff on it I would like to access on one of my desktop computers at my place. I have seen quite a few 3.5'' enclosures with mixed ratings, but cant recall seeing one in 2.5'' variant. Is there any half-decent 2.5'' enclosure type of gadget you would recommend? Portability is not needed, adequate relibility and low price is all I am asking for. TIA.

 

[nomadh]

geeks.com has a new toy that is a usb to ata/laptop ata/sata adapter. So far it works pretty slick in windows and will even boot dos in some PCs. Nice tool to have. Cheaper and simpler is a ide to 2.5" ide adapter. Plug it in and run just like another hd in your pc.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: nomadh
geeks.com has a new toy that is a usb to ata/laptop ata/sata adapter. So far it works pretty slick in windows and will even boot dos in some PCs. Nice tool to have. Cheaper and simpler is a ide to 2.5" ide adapter. Plug it in and run just like another hd in your pc.

have one of those(not the ide to 2.5) and works pretty well ..some machines have issues with it tho(usb insufficient juice) but overall very handy

 

[Old Hippie]

I must be missing something? You're looking for a 2 1/2" external hard drive enclosure?
If so, there's a gazillion of 'um.

 

[aphex]

Here are 86 for you to choose from;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...2+1053807124&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=92

And that's just what Newegg carries..

 

[pkme2]

I use 2 1/2" HDDs as a second HDD in the media bay of my Inspiron, and as a external USB pocket HDD.
Dell offers a media bay adaper for its laptops. Great to transfer and store important files.

 

[RU482]

I second the USB to IDE solution
Funny someone mentioned power being an issue...the one I have has 2 USB connectors. Maybe to draw from 2 ports?

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: redly1
I second the USB to IDE solution
Funny someone mentioned power being an issue...the one I have has 2 USB connectors. Maybe to draw from 2 ports?

The extra pigtail USB connector is usually used if the connection is 1.1 and then you need to plug the pigtail for additional power to operate external pocket harddrive sometimes.

 

[SparkyJJO]

If the laptop drive isn't SATA this would do the trick

not pretty looking but it works to transfer data Just don't plug it in upside down, that'll feed 5V into some data line, not good

 

[Nocturnal]

I connect all the 2.5" drives I come across via an enclosure with a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter from CUSA.