USB enclosures.

[Trypt]

Can someone explain how this works? I'd like to use one of my HDDs as an external device for transporting data via USB.

So is that what these USB enclosures are for? Basically, I'd like to be able to plug in my 40 gigger and then just plug it into any computer with USB and want the window to pop up, plug and play. Is that how it works?

If so, I still have one confusion. How does it get power, I don't think there is enough juice in the USB to power the HDD is there? So do you have to plug the enclosure both into a powerbar and into the USB socket of a computer?

Thanx.

[Know Nuttin]

It is that way if the computer is running Windows 2000, ME (heaven forbid), or XP for most enclosures. Windows 95 and 98/SE are guaranteed to need drivers for the enclosure.

2.5" drives don't use alot of power and get it from 5v, which USB provides. Some drives will need up to 1A (5w), which is why you will see the cable has 2 USB connectors. Each USB connection from the PC is good for only 500mA per port.

3.5" drives use external power adapters.

[Trypt]

Let me see if I get this right:

I put the HDD into the inclosure, plug it into the IDE slot (its an IDE drive and IDE USB enclosure).

Close the enclosure.

Plug the power cable from the USB enclosure to a socket (I am assuming the power supply is included in the enclosure???!)

Plug the USB cable into the computer.

After this, a window will pop-up and basically act like any other usb type device, such as a flash card reader, where it just creates a new drive letter, then I can transfer whatever I want?

Also, this is all USB 1.1 compatible, right?

What kind of speeds can I expect from one of these, and do different makes make a big difference in speed (cheap vs. expensive?)?

[Know Nuttin]

Set the HD to master, it's usually the best way to do it.

Power adapter is included, yes.

As long as the drive is already partitioned/formatted with a file system that it can see, then you will see it just like a USB flash drive, yes.

Yes, they are backwards compatible to USB 1.1.

Speed wise, it is not as fast as internal, even with USB 2.0 maxing at 480mbit/sec. Expect under 22MB/sec. That is the max that I have seen. Most times, it's around 17MB/sec, though it also depends on what is being transferred as well.

In terms of spending more vs less, it's a tossup. I have used several Vantec enclosures, which I like (Nexstar 2/3) but can't say with any confidence that it is better than a cheaper model. I have used several of these cheaper models with no issues as well.

[Elif Tymes]

I've used my 40GB 2.5" in an external enclosure, just because it's super portalbe, and I've had the drive lying around.

Anyways, as Know Nuttin said, it's the exact same thing as having a USB flash drive or some such item. Only difference is the greater capacity.