External IDE?

H

hokatichenci

Gawd
Joined
Oct 28, 2004
Messages
722
Alright, I've got both my SATA cages in my Stacker 830, and with 2 cd/dvd devices, that only leaves one 5.25" slot. But the problem is I have 6 IDE hd's that I'd still like to use a few of (who wouldn't mind an extra 700gb?). Is there some way to have an external cage with the standard IDE plug that wouldn't be ghettolicious?
 
You can't run an IDE cable to the outside of the computer. Your best bet might be firewire/usb2 -> IDE converters. An alternative would be to build a fileserver, throw the drives in it, and hook it up to the network.
 
pincho said:
hows about using something like this http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2341.htm, and making your own seperate HDD cage?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't touch something like that for a permanent installation. Firstly, you're probably going to almost hit IDE spec cable length just getting from the IDE controller to that bracket. Secondly, the bracket itself may cause data integrity issues. Thirdly, connecting an external cable is definitely going to put you over the max cable length. Also, IDE doesn't call for shielded cables, so the combination of running an excessively long cable and running it outside the case makes it quite a bit more susceptible to interference and other such nastiness. And lastly, he would need three such brackets to handle his six drives. But the main issue is simple data integrity. I wouldn't risk it.
 
I know i've seen multiple drive external enclosures. Getting an enclosure big enough for 6 drives might be more expensive than just picking up a couple 300gig harddrives. Then you could just get a 3-5 backplate.
 
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