External HDD enclosures...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric
  • Start date Start date
E

Eric

Hi,

I've had the following enclosure for a few years:
ADS Technology, model DLX-185 (USB2.0, Firewire)

I used it for a while with a DVD-RW for a laptop, but after getting a slim
DVD-RW, used the enclosure with a HDD. (Samsung PATA 250GB)
It was working fine for over a year, but recently stop working. The HDD was
fine and is now inside a computer. A multimeter shows that the voltage on
the power connector inside the enclosure has dropped to ~9.5V from 12V. The
power adapter is fine though.

I really like the case because it is quite rugged. I've traveled with it a
lot. If possible, I'd like to salvage the thing. Anyone ever fix something
like this? I'm thinking it may be as simple as just replacing a capacitor
or something...

Failing that, anyone using an enclosure that has proven to be reliable with
decent PATA/EIDE transfer rates? I mainly use the HDD/enclosure as a medium
to make backups of base OS's onto. I will mainly continue to use USB2.0.
(Never had a need for the firewire.) Ethernet may be nice too now though.
With ethernet, I wouldn't have to physically move the thing around to do
backups, but simply connect it to the network. Slower than USB, but would
be fine since on a network it could be automated in the middle of nights...

Thanks!
 
Eric said:
Hi,

I've had the following enclosure for a few years:
ADS Technology, model DLX-185 (USB2.0, Firewire)

I used it for a while with a DVD-RW for a laptop, but after getting a slim
DVD-RW, used the enclosure with a HDD. (Samsung PATA 250GB)
It was working fine for over a year, but recently stop working. The HDD
was
fine and is now inside a computer. A multimeter shows that the voltage on
the power connector inside the enclosure has dropped to ~9.5V from 12V.
The power adapter is fine though.

I really like the case because it is quite rugged. I've traveled with it
a
lot. If possible, I'd like to salvage the thing. Anyone ever fix
something
like this? I'm thinking it may be as simple as just replacing a capacitor
or something...

Failing that, anyone using an enclosure that has proven to be reliable
with
decent PATA/EIDE transfer rates? I mainly use the HDD/enclosure as a
medium
to make backups of base OS's onto. I will mainly continue to use USB2.0.
(Never had a need for the firewire.) Ethernet may be nice too now though.
With ethernet, I wouldn't have to physically move the thing around to do
backups, but simply connect it to the network. Slower than USB, but would
be fine since on a network it could be automated in the middle of
nights...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It is possible to fix it, but you will need skill in electronics and some
experience tracing out a circuit from a pc board -- and a lot of luck.
The task would be a lot easier if you had an identical (but working) board
to compare voltages.  Even if you can pinpoint the failed part(s), you
may find it very hard to obtain a replacement.

I think it's time to buy something new.  Ethernet isn't necessarily slower
than USB2.
 
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