I'm Looking for an Easy How-To

[trickynick]

First, this is a follow up to this: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/256483-32-help-storage-problem

Anwyays, I have a very old comptuer that is sitting next to me. I haven't turned it in in quite a while, so I don't know what HDs are in it, how many are in it, etc. I would to use it.

I want to continue using the HDDs that are in it, maybe even the DVD burner that's on it. That would be the only purpose for it. I don't really need the OS on it (XP), I just want the storage space to hold my videos, TV Shows I miss while I am working (work 3rd shift) and I odn't have a DVR. I don't like watching them on my computer and I don't relaly have a way to watch them on my TV unless burned to a DVD.

What would be the cheapest way to use these HDDs (at least 3, might be 4) on that computer without costing a lot of money. I was thinking of getting external enclosures, but from the response I've gotten, it probalby won't be the best idea.

Could someone help me figure out a cheap way to use the space on those hard drives, whether or not it's to use the computer (wasting electric), or get external box of some sort that won't use as much power. Or any other sigguestions you may have that won't 1) cost much to impliment 2) Use much electric 3) Be fast.

Thanks, and I hope I am explaining what I am wanting, if not, please let me know.

P.S. I can't add another drive to my current rig as 1) 1 Sata port is blocked 2) money.

 

[trickynick]

No suggestions yet?

 

[soundefx]

You could get a tv card for the computer and use it to record the TV shows you are watching to the hard drives. That way, you can watch your TV shows at a later date.

I am not sure about which tv card to get as I haven't used one in years, but I do know that they are both external and internal ones.

By the way, you wouldn't be able to use the tv card or the burner without XP as they all runn from the XP operating system.