USB CD / DVD

[Guest hippotech]

To make things a bit easier with the install of XP, I picked up an IDE/SATA to USB adapter from Maplin in the UK.

It cost £24.99 and allows you to connect a DVD Rom ( which I just pulled from a desktop for the XP installation) not to mention 2.5" & 3.5" IDE and SATA disks should you need to transfer anything.

It's a lot cheaper than a dedicated USB CD Rom drive for something that probably won't get used that often.

Just did a quick search on eBay and you can get them from "overseas" for less than a tenner !!

Hippo

[Guest EdinKali]

To make things a bit easier with the install of XP, I picked up an IDE/SATA to USB adapter from Maplin in the UK.

It cost £24.99 and allows you to connect a DVD Rom ( which I just pulled from a desktop for the XP installation) not to mention 2.5" & 3.5" IDE and SATA disks should you need to transfer anything.

It's a lot cheaper than a dedicated USB CD Rom drive for something that probably won't get used that often.

Just did a quick search on eBay and you can get them from "overseas" for less than a tenner !!

Hippo

Yeah, those are pretty handy. I bought one for a friend as a handy gadget gift. He says it works great. I am going to have to pick one up for myself.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I bought one of those too, v cool!

P

[Guest Kaiser Wilhelm II]

I bought one of those too, v cool!

P

Anyone know a source for a good, cheap one?

I saw one in Maplins but like most stuff in there it was a ripoff.

Ideally I'd like one with PATA (connectors for 3.5 and 2.5 discs) and SATA on the same plug. Preferably costing around 25 quid or so.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I'm afraid I overpaid via Maplin due to urgency!

P

[Guest m@rty]

Anyone know a source for a good, cheap one?

I saw one in Maplins but like most stuff in there it was a ripoff.

Ideally I'd like one with PATA (connectors for 3.5 and 2.5 discs) and SATA on the same plug. Preferably costing around 25 quid or so.

ebay (just search 'USB IDE') theres loads, they are all generic but they work no probs (i've pointed many a friend in their direction and they've all worked).

for a tenner you can get one which does IDE 3.5/2.5, & SATA with an external power supply. or for £5 for one without power.

mine was on loan to a friend when I needed to restore my eee, so I took apart my 3.5" drive enclosure and paired it with a dvd rom from about 10years ago and it worked a treat!

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

I bought one last year that is all singing and all dancing etc but I did notice that the electrical noise emmitted did interrupt my wireless keyboard and mouse (if it's between the keyboard and reciever).