Easily Swapped in hard drive

[Shark Boy]

Hi,

I'm looking looking for a way to easily swap in a hard drive into my
system. I want to save myself the trouble of opening my computer every
time I want to swap in a hard drive as it happens quite frequently.

My hunt has lead me to external USB 2.0 enclosures but I was wondering
how easy it is to swap the hard drives? It seems that the "swappable"
part is that you can unplug the usb cable and attach it to another
machine while I want to swap the actual hard drive.

Does anyone have any recommended external enclosures or perhaps I've
overlooked another solution?

Thanks,

 

[Anna]

Hi,

I'm looking looking for a way to easily swap in a hard drive into my
system. I want to save myself the trouble of opening my computer every
time I want to swap in a hard drive as it happens quite frequently.

My hunt has lead me to external USB 2.0 enclosures but I was wondering how
easy it is to swap the hard drives? It seems that the "swappable" part is
that you can unplug the usb cable and attach it to another machine while I
want to swap the actual hard drive.

Does anyone have any recommended external enclosures or perhaps I've
overlooked another solution?

Thanks,

Shark Boy:
Removing a HD from its USB enclosure and installing it as an internal drive
as a more-or-less routine operation is an awkward, unsatisfactory "swapping"
process to say the least. And since the USB EHD is *not* bootable (in a
Windows XP environment) I assume its usefulness would be limited in terms of
what you want to achieve. The EHD is fine as a general backup device and
while I could envision it to be removed from its enclosure and installed as
an internal drive on *rare* occasions, it's hard to imagine this process
being carried out in some routine, systematic way.

Assuming your computer is a desktop and not a laptop/notebook, and assuming
you have a vacant available 5 1/4" bay, consider equipping the computer with
a removable hard drive. This device is a two-part affair consisting of a
rack affixed to the case (just like a CD/DVD-ROM or other 5 1/4" device) in
which a removable tray (or caddy) containing the hard drive slides in & out
of the rack. With this arrangement you'll be able to easily switch between
your internal HD and the removable one. By configuring your removable drive
as Primary Master and your internal one as Secondary Master, you'll be able
to boot to either one without any need to make cable connects/disconnects.
And with a removable HD you'll be able to use a *limitless* number of hard
drives. Ideally (in my opinion) it's even better to have *two* removable HDs
for the extraordinary flexibility this arrangement yields, but an internal
HD and a removable one should suffice for your needs. I can virtually
guarantee that once you begin working with this arrangement your only regret
will be that your computer wasn't so previously equipped.
Anna

 

[John Doe]

My hunt has lead me to external USB 2.0 enclosures but I was
wondering how easy it is to swap the hard drives? It seems that
the "swappable" part is that you can unplug the usb cable and
attach it to another machine while I want to swap the actual
hard drive.

If you would explain why you want to swap the actual hard drive
instead of simply plug the USB cable, that might help others
provide an answer.

Does anyone have any recommended external enclosures or perhaps
I've overlooked another solution?

I seem to recall someone here mentioning an external hard disk
drive enclosure.

The storage group might be another good place to ask since they
deal mainly with storage devices.

 

[sbb78247]

Hi,

I'm looking looking for a way to easily swap in a hard drive into my
system. I want to save myself the trouble of opening my computer every
time I want to swap in a hard drive as it happens quite frequently.

My hunt has lead me to external USB 2.0 enclosures but I was wondering
how easy it is to swap the hard drives? It seems that the "swappable"
part is that you can unplug the usb cable and attach it to another
machine while I want to swap the actual hard drive.

Does anyone have any recommended external enclosures or perhaps I've
overlooked another solution?

Thanks,

get a drive caddy and a few trays. they might be limited to ata133, but it
might solve your problem

 

[Kadaitcha Man]

John Doe, <[email protected]>, the lonely, dreamy mouse, and lost
mountain guide, driveled:

If you would explain why you want to swap the actual hard drive

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is 100% irrelevant, as are you, you chopfucked
pillock.

 

[MyName]

Does anyone have any recommended external enclosures

For ease of HD swapping, I recommend the P160 from Antec.
http://www.antec.com/us/siteMap.html

 

[old jon]

Hi John, recently purchased an `ICY BOX` and 200gb hard drive, ICY BOX is
USB & FIREWIRE. (Includes cables and power supply)Four thumbscrews on the
lid, and four retaining screws for the drive. I`ve got enough storage to
last ages. It`s good kit. best wishes..J

 

[Shark Boy]

Shark Boy:
Removing a HD from its USB enclosure and installing it as an internal drive
as a more-or-less routine operation is an awkward, unsatisfactory "swapping"
process to say the least. And since the USB EHD is *not* bootable (in a
Windows XP environment) I assume its usefulness would be limited in terms of
what you want to achieve. The EHD is fine as a general backup device and
while I could envision it to be removed from its enclosure and installed as
an internal drive on *rare* occasions, it's hard to imagine this process
being carried out in some routine, systematic way.

Assuming your computer is a desktop and not a laptop/notebook, and assuming
you have a vacant available 5 1/4" bay, consider equipping the computer with
a removable hard drive. This device is a two-part affair consisting of a
rack affixed to the case (just like a CD/DVD-ROM or other 5 1/4" device) in
which a removable tray (or caddy) containing the hard drive slides in & out
of the rack. With this arrangement you'll be able to easily switch between
your internal HD and the removable one. By configuring your removable drive
as Primary Master and your internal one as Secondary Master, you'll be able
to boot to either one without any need to make cable connects/disconnects.
And with a removable HD you'll be able to use a *limitless* number of hard
drives. Ideally (in my opinion) it's even better to have *two* removable HDs
for the extraordinary flexibility this arrangement yields, but an internal
HD and a removable one should suffice for your needs. I can virtually
guarantee that once you begin working with this arrangement your only regret
will be that your computer wasn't so previously equipped.
Anna

Thanks, that's just what I bought and it's working great and has added a
whole new level of flexibility to my daily activities. My next machine
will definitely be built with a removable drive bay.

Now, if only laptops could be so-equiped as I'd be able to do a bit of
work while travelling.

Thanks again,

 

[Shark Boy]

get a drive caddy and a few trays. they might be limited to ata133, but it
might solve your problem

Thanks, it definitely solved the problem. I just wish laptops could have
one of these too.