can i connect a desktop hard disk to a laptop?

  • Thread starter Thread starter greg
  • Start date Start date
G

greg

my desktop computer has recently gone up the spout and i need to get it
fixed. before i do this i want to transfer some large files to my laptop. i
cannot access the hard disk through the desktop but i was hoping there was a
way of connecting it to my laptop so that i can transfer some files across.

is there a way of connecting my desktop hard disk to my laptop. is there
some sort of cable that i can buy to do this. my laptop has USB, firewire,
parallel and serial ports.

thanks in advance,

greg.
 
my desktop computer has recently gone up the spout and i need to get it
fixed. before i do this i want to transfer some large files to my laptop. i
cannot access the hard disk through the desktop but i was hoping there was a
way of connecting it to my laptop so that i can transfer some files across.

is there a way of connecting my desktop hard disk to my laptop. is there
some sort of cable that i can buy to do this. my laptop has USB, firewire,
parallel and serial ports.

thanks in advance,

greg.
Click to expand...


You could use an external HDD enclosure, or a notebook IDE adapter, or
find a generous soul who'd let you attach the HDD to their system.

If this isn't sensitive data you could just have the shop copy off
the files to CDRs (or whatever preferred medium) before they do
anything more... should be quick and easy if the HDD is intact, some
shops might be able to do it while you wait if you call ahead to catch
them when they're not too busy.


Dave
 
kony said:
You could use an external HDD enclosure, or a notebook IDE adapter, or
find a generous soul who'd let you attach the HDD to their system.

If this isn't sensitive data you could just have the shop copy off
the files to CDRs (or whatever preferred medium) before they do
anything more... should be quick and easy if the HDD is intact, some
shops might be able to do it while you wait if you call ahead to catch
them when they're not too busy.


Dave
Click to expand...



thanks for the advice. is this the sort of thing you're talking about?
http://www.videkonline.co.uk/SubSections.asp?sectionID=10
see product at bottom of page.

would that do the job?

thanks in advance,

greg.
 
thanks for the advice. is this the sort of thing you're talking about?
http://www.videkonline.co.uk/SubSections.asp?sectionID=10
see product at bottom of page.

would that do the job?
Click to expand...

That would adapt the IDE interface, but is not a complete solution
because you still need a way to power the drive. The picture "looks"
to be the standard 40-pin plug for a desktop drive, so there is no
power provided, unlike the 44-pin plugs for notebook drives. Perhaps
the description is incomplete and it does include a power supply,
separately, but I wouldn't assume so. It would be possible to use it
if your desktop power supply still works, if you kept the power lead
from it plugged into the drive to power it.

What I was suggesting is an entire enclosure with either an internal
power supply or external brick-on-power-cord type, like these (in the
3.5" size since it's for a hard drive, or choose the 5.25" size if
you want the flexibility of having it large enough for an optical
drive if you'd ever want to (re)use it. Of course if you got the
5.25" size you'd need drive rails for a 3.5", desktop HDD if you don't
have any already.

http://www.newegg.com/app/listProduct.asp?submit=list&catalog=92&DEPA=0&sortby=11&order=0
 
kony said:
That would adapt the IDE interface, but is not a complete solution
because you still need a way to power the drive. The picture "looks"
to be the standard 40-pin plug for a desktop drive, so there is no
power provided, unlike the 44-pin plugs for notebook drives. Perhaps
the description is incomplete and it does include a power supply,
separately, but I wouldn't assume so. It would be possible to use it
if your desktop power supply still works, if you kept the power lead
from it plugged into the drive to power it.

What I was suggesting is an entire enclosure with either an internal
power supply or external brick-on-power-cord type, like these (in the
3.5" size since it's for a hard drive, or choose the 5.25" size if
you want the flexibility of having it large enough for an optical
drive if you'd ever want to (re)use it. Of course if you got the
5.25" size you'd need drive rails for a 3.5", desktop HDD if you don't
have any already.

http://www.newegg.com/app/listProduct.asp?submit=list&catalog=92&DEPA=0&sortby=11&order=0
Click to expand...


found a solution:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/?userid=ARM_Kelkoo&targetmodule=35057

it includes a power supply.

thanks for your help.
 
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