PC Hardware → Making an internal CDrom drive external?

Is this possible? If it is, how do I do it?

I think it's doable with a rig like this.

»shop.menlomart.com/usb20 ··· rid.html

It's entirely possible with an external enclosure. Basically it is a box that u put a cdrom/cdrw/dvdrom/dvdrw/hard drive in. It contains the standard ide and power connectors inside of the case. It then allows you to connect the drive via usb 2.0 or firewire (depends on the model of the enclosure). It's very easy to setup and is usually cheaper to buy the enclosure and an internal drive than it is to buy an external drive.

said by St0ry:

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Is this possible? If it is, how do I do it?

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I have a old 1 about 3 yrs old, u would have to get cables for it , plugs into ur printer & if u pay shipping I will give it to u.
If u want it let me know & I will pull it out of the closet & give better details.

Thanks for the offer TAPEUUP, but I think I'll just buy my own. Another question, is there a difference between enclosures for HDs and CDrom drives?

said by St0ry:

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Thanks for the offer TAPEUUP, but I think I'll just buy my own. Another question, is there a difference between enclosures for HDs and CDrom drives?

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I would think so being the CD ROM is wider then a HD.
If I'm wrong don't worry, the good people around here tend to correct us.:D

Sorry but I got another question now. My computer is on pretty much 24/7. Would having a CDrom drive in an exclosure on 24/7 be bad?

First off the main difference between a CDROM and a HD enclosure, besides the size, is that the CDROM enclosure needs an opening at the front to get the media in and out

Otherwise I'd imagine they're pretty much electrically identical.

As far as running these things 24/7 goes, I'd think it depends on whether or not your enclosure has a fan. Then again they usually come with an independent power switch and USB hotplugs so turning it off when not in use would be no big deal.

I have the slightly more expensive USB 2.0/firewire version of this external enclosure. »www.newegg.com/app/ViewP ··· 7&depa=0 Any 3.5/5.25" should work. It has a fan and external power. It shouldn't be a problem leaving it on 24/7.

Go here and check out some of their external enclosures:

»store.yahoo.com/dealsoni ··· xen.html

Lowest prices I have found on the web.

I ordered one from monoprice.com. That site got pretty good reviews at resellerratings.com. It also supports HDDs so I can use it temporarily to do some backing up or something.