Using old case for HD's via USB

  • Thread starter Thread starter Opusita
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Opusita

Hi,

Recently purchased a new computer and gutted the case of my old computer.
Also have 2 external HDs connected by USB with the new setup. Since HD
drives are so inexpensive I want to buy a couple of more.

So here's what I conjured up, take the old case, get a simple mainboard, get
some removable HD inserts, connect the HD to the main board via the IDE
connections and then connect my main computer to the HD case via USB. This
would be more portable than schlepping enclosures around.

Other than the case, power supply and mainboard what else would be required?
Can I omit the processor? Any comments and thoughts will be appreciated.

Marian
 
Opusita said:
Hi,

Recently purchased a new computer and gutted the case of my old computer.
Also have 2 external HDs connected by USB with the new setup. Since HD
drives are so inexpensive I want to buy a couple of more.

So here's what I conjured up, take the old case, get a simple mainboard, get
some removable HD inserts, connect the HD to the main board via the IDE
connections and then connect my main computer to the HD case via USB. This
would be more portable than schlepping enclosures around.

Other than the case, power supply and mainboard what else would be required?
Can I omit the processor? Any comments and thoughts will be appreciated.

Marian
Click to expand...

You're going to need a fully-functioning computer, including an OS. Might as
well skip the usb and just network the two together. You wouldn't need sound
or modem, but you would need a processor, memory sufficient to run the OS,
and a video card. You don't necessarily need a monitor if you're going to
control the second computer remotely, but generally the computer won't post
without a video card installed -- you'll just get beeps. Depending on the
mainboard, you might also have to have a keyboard plugged in when you boot.
Some let you disable that, but some are finicky.

Buy the way, I can't see how hauling a whole second computer around is more
portable than a couple of USB enclosures. Or just get ONE enclosure with a
big-enough drive.

Or, get yourself an ATA controller card and add 4 more hard drives
internally. How much space to you actually need?
 
Thanks.....but based on your comments it's more problem than it's worth.

All that I wanted was to use the old machine as a shell to house a mobile
media enclosure into which I could then insert removable trays enclosures.
Since most mainboards allow connection of 4 IDE devices it would be the
equivalent of 4 externals. Wanted to avoid LAN and use USB to access the
devices from the other computer. Basically the 2 externals I now have are
USB to IDE interfaces but the drives are not removable. Just wanted to use
the old case as a housing from which I could pop in or out HDs via removable
trays.

I didn't think of the POST problems but I'm sure you're right and that kills
the idea.

Thanks again,

Marian
 
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