Connecting a Desktop HD to a laptop? 1

[pavlenyi]

I have a 5-year-old Compaq Presario 7470 running Windows 98. I would like to trash the computer, but hold on to the hard drive and use it as a second hard drive for my laptop, an IBM T20 running Windows 2000.

Is there a way to connect the harddrive using a USB connector/adaptor? Or another way?

Thanks!

Jacques Pavlenyi

 

[wolluf]

You can get a special IDE adapter (cost c. £5 here in UK) - but the one I've got takes up whole IDE connection (ie no connection for a slave device).

 

[Kofy]

There are several MFG's that make cases for IDE drives to allow you to use them as a portable drive. you can find cases for USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and Firewire, plus cases the have both USB AND firewire connections.. I would strongly recommend getting a PCMCIA card with USB 2.0 and HD case.. the only negative is the weight factor.. you have the new case, the old HD, AND the weight of the power supply and cables to carry with your "new" portable HD.
I hope this clears up your questions.

 

[wolluf]

sory - just realised i read this this wrong way round!