External HDD enclosures...

[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!

 

[Roby]

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!

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.