Quick swap solution

[Guest]

Hi there.

Is there a way (through hardware, patch cables, etc) to set up an external port on my PC that I can use to quickly swap hard drives in and out? Of course I know I'll have to power down the system to do this, but in my business I have to change out drives frequently from different clients, and I'd rather not continue to leave my case open with all the wires hanging out and my hard drive stand (read: tissue box) sitting there all the time.

Thanks!
Jeff~

 

[Arrow]

An external firewire enclosure might be worth your consideration.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure what that is, and I was unable to find one on the site you linked to. Could you elaborate?

Thanks!
Jeff~

 

[Arrow]

Head over to <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">http://www.pricewatch.com</A> and type in "external hard drive enclosure" in the search box. I just checked for ya and got quite a few hits - I think you're looking for a 3.5" one though - those are there too.

Cheers

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[VulcanSoulPatch]

What about using HDD caddies?

I used to use one on my P75 when my bud and I would swap DOS games. This was way before Zip drives. All I had to do was pull out my drive and take it over to my bud's comp. He would turn his comp off, pull out his caddy, and slap mine in. We didn't even have to use the same size HDD.

'Course, that was way before all of these new-fangled HDDs.

If it would work, all <b>IgnorantMasses</b> would have to do is buy one caddy, and with every HDD he was going to set up, just plug in the data and power cables in the tray, slide it in and power up. If he was going to keep swapping the drives for a few days, he may think about investing in a few so that he wouldn't have to keep reconnecting them each time. He could probably have several caddies going at once.

VSP

<i> Thoughts are thinking; Thunk from knowing
<b> nwod </b> gniog em peek reverof sthguohT </i>

 

[Arrow]

Actually, those removable hard drive trays today work in the same way. If you don't mind having to go up to your computer, it's another good idea.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[VulcanSoulPatch]

"TRAY!"

That's the operative word!

I used "hard drive caddy" in Pricewatch ('cuz . . . uh . . . that's what we <b>used</b> to call 'em), and didn't get much . . . but "hard drive tray" was the ticket! (<i>Come to find out, they are also called "mobile racks" and "removable hd racks" . . . </i>) Their first link has a bunch, including extra "trays" ( ) for $7 apiece.

It's good to know that that ball o' fuzz between my ears works every once in a while!

Thanks for the tip, <b>Arrow</b>.

VSP

<i> Thoughts are thinking; Thunk from knowing
<b> nwod </b> gniog em peek reverof sthguohT </i>

 

[Arrow]

It's amazing how the results of two brains put together are much better than one

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/index.cfm?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[Crashman]

I'm going with the majority and recommending a removable tray. Buy two of them to get two caddies out of them, and you can swap drives easiliy with a simply reboot. You can even pull both drives and lock them in a vault if you like!

What's the frequency, Kenneth?