Anna,

I have found that the external USB kits are much more convenient, more
flexible and less work than the trays. Obviously you are limited by the
number of USB connections you have available. However, these USB cases only
have to connected when you need to use them. I am currently using two of
them on my XP O/S setup. One holds a hard drive that dates back to my 95 O/S
and functions fine. It has 2 partitions, which XP recognized and set-up
without any effort on my part as two new drives. I use it on a continuing
basis and its operation is virtually imperceptible from my internal H/D. My
other USB kit is a Adaptec box. This is an excellent and relatively product
that I use with an internal 200GB Maxtor Ultra drive for full system backup.
My experience with USB Kits is that shopping a little for both the box and
an internal drive, you will have an "external" hard drive at a third to half
the cost of a manufacturer's external drive. My 200GB/Adaptec cost me $70.00
after specials and rebates. All that plus the ability to pop drives in and
out if the mood moves you. One thing you should note is that the kit box
should have it's own power supply.

Maurice Reid
----- Original Message -----
From: "GeneralStuff" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 12/07/2005 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Drive space question


I was interested in your description of what you do with old drives.  What
are removable trays, how much do they cost, where do you get them, can you
use them with any computer?   Aren't USB enclosures nearly as expensive as
just buying a new drive?  Or is there an inexpensive source somewhere?  If I
have installed a new hard drive and moved an old one to slave position
(following instructions), would I have any problem installing an old drive
in a USB enclosure?  Thanks, AnnaSummers

----- Original Message -----
From: David Gillett
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2005 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Drive space question


Excerpt:

I would use Partition Magic to copy your current drives to two partitions
on the 120 GB drive (and expand them to at least 40 GB each), and remove the
two small drives.  All of my drives less than about 18 GB now live in
removable trays or USB enclosures, and only get used to move large data
volumes from one machine to another.      --David Gillett

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