Connecting an internal HD externally?

[Citizen K]

Hi, I want to use an old 40gb internal IDE hard drive I have lying around as a back up device. I'd like to connect it externally however. My pc currently uses an internal sata II hd and I know you can't mix sata and ide hd's internally. I'm just wondering whether it'd work if I connect it externally with a usb cable or something?

If its possible could someone point me an adaptor/cable I'd need? Thanks!

[Clunk]

you can mix them no probs, i had sata and ide drives for a few years on a few different boards.

you can get some good and cheap boxes to house a hard drive externally...icybox is one that springs to mind

[Citizen K]

Glad to know I can mix them. So now I just need a usb -> ide adaptor cable right? That icybox is around £30, seems a bit much. I already have a 'cage' I can put store the HD in externally. I was hoping for a cheap cable for £10 or so!

[Curly]

A decent usb to ide will cost around the same price as the icybox.....there are cheaper caddies, I would go for a drive enclosure purely for the fact it keeps thing neat tidy.

Curly

[Clunk]

a cheap ide cable for fitting it internally will cost a few pence or a few quid depending on what you get. scan have those icybox things on offer regularly and they start from about 15 quid, there are other cheaper makes as well that will do the job.

[wmsteele]

Icybox is the way to go, just wish I could find a SATA to USB/Firewire version.

[Ferral]

You can get a box that the hard disk goes in that can be swapped out as and when you feel and you can get them to connect via the parallel port or USB.

Another possibility is getting a drive bay converter, you add it in to the front of the PC in a 5 inch bay and you can put the hard disk in that and remove it when you feel. You connect the IDE port to the back of the bay inside the PC. These bays usually have a locking mechanism also for security purposes, ideal for making backups.

[cotswoldcs]

Glad to know I can mix them. So now I just need a usb -> ide adaptor cable right? That icybox is around £30, seems a bit much. I already have a 'cage' I can put store the HD in externally. I was hoping for a cheap cable for £10 or so!

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=138544

Am I good or am I good????

[jackofalltrades]

wow cots, you put wayyyy too much time into looking for that jk. but i do think you are good

[Citizen K]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=138544

Am I good or am I good????

Thats great. Thanks!