Easier Hard Drive Enclosure

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ostrich2

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Dec 14, 2010
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Hey guys,

I use my hard drive enclosure as such:

-connect it to the computer
-transfer over the files of my choosing
-disconnect it from the IDE ribbon cable/power connector

-connect to another device without enclosure

(Repeat)

The annoying thing is the ribbon cable is such a pain to disconnect from the hard drive, I don't even screw the lid on as I do this a couple times a day.

Is there a transfer utility that doesn't need prying the ribbon cable from the hard drive ?
 
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ostrich2

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Something like this seems reasonable enough as there's no excess power connector cable nor ribbon cable.

hard+disk+enclosure.jpg


Where would you find such a contraption ?
 
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ostrich2

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Yup, that's the ticket.

I wonder about the power cable though, it isn't visible.

12-119-152-08.jpg


Is a power connector cable needed, or do you just need to connect the IDE/interface connector ?
 
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Hawkeye22

Hawkeye22

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You didjn't put a link to go with that picture, but yes, they do require power and if you read the specs for the one you picked, it should say so.

Edit: I just found the roswill listed above. In the specs, it says:

Power Source: External Power Adapter
Input: AC 100-240V, 50-60Hz
Output: DC +12V/1.5A
 
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Onus

Onus

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Those devices will be limited by USB speeds; using a ribbon cable direct to an IDE header will be overall MUCH faster.
If at all possible, switch to SATA devices. Particularly if you have an eSATA connector available, then get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182197 which can connect using either USB 2.0 or, if available, eSATA. Drives plug in and out of it easily. I got one to use with Acronis for cloning drives, and it works very well.
 
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ostrich2

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Those devices will be limited by USB speeds; using a ribbon cable direct to an IDE header will be overall MUCH faster.
If at all possible, switch to SATA devices. Particularly if you have an eSATA connector available, then get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817182197 which can connect using either USB 2.0 or, if available, eSATA. Drives plug in and out of it easily. I got one to use with Acronis for cloning drives, and it works very well.
Click to expand...
The drive i'm using is an IDE drive.
By IDE header do you mean connecting it like you would an internal hard drive (inside the computer) ?
 
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Hawkeye22

Hawkeye22

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Yes, there is no difference between an internal and external drive. It's the same drive, just one is inserted into a drive enclosure to make it available as an external drive. It can still be mounted internally to the motherboard as long as there is an available port to attach it to. IDE channels can support up to two devices. So, if you have a ribbon cable with a CD/DVR burner attached to a ribbon cable and there is an empty slot on the cable, you can attach the drive to it. Of course, you'll also need to plug a power cable from the power supply to it also.
 
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Onus

Onus

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External enclosures for IDE drives don't use a ribbon cable; they are typically USB2.0. If it is a 3.5" drive, it will come with a separate power brick. A 2.5" [laptop] drive can be powered by the USB cable. If the drive is 3.5" and will get a lot of use, consider getting an enclosure with a fan for cooling.
 
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ostrich2

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The external enclosure I have has a slight 2-3 inch ribbon cable and power connector, you have to sort of squeeze it all into its case.
The drive does get a lot of use, except it only stays connected to the computer for an hour, tops.

 
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Hawkeye22

Hawkeye22

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The internal interface of the enclosure must be IDE to use with an IDE drive. Some enclosures have a simple IDE backplane, others attach to the backplane with a short ribbon cable. That is the point I was trying to get across when I said there is no difference between an internal/external drive. The interfaces must still match.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Ok. Your description seemed more specific to mounting the drive in the case. Re-reading the OP, it looks like he has an IDE cable in his case with two devices attached, and he is temporarily disconnecting one of them to use the other drive, then reconnecting the original device; which I'll agree could get to be a pain.
If you want IDE only, this one has almost no one-egg reviews: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145132
 
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ostrich2

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I already have an external enclosure similar to that one,
as you can see in the 3rd picture (newegg won't let me copy it cover)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=17-145-132-Z03&SpinSet=17-145-132-RS&ISList=17-145-132-Z01%2c17-145-132-Z02%2c17-145-132-Z03%2c17-145-132-Z04%2c17-145-132-Z05%2c17-145-132-Z06&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16817145132&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=VANTEC%20Nexstar%203%20NST-360U2-BL%203.5%22%20USB%202.0%20External%20Enclosure

There's a short ribbon cable & power connector cable,
and for me, it's a pain disconnecting the ribbon cable, as it's usually in tight.
It'd be ideal if there was an IDE connector without the ribbon cable, like the adapter hawkeye showed me.
 
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FireWire2

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You have TWO options:

USB2.0
http://www.datoptic.com/usb-to-ide-bridgeboard-direct-connect.html

FireWire800
http://www.datoptic.com/dual-ide-to-firewire-convertor-with-raid-0.html

 
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