How to make PATA HDD to usb

install the HDD in a inclosre, not sure what size drive you have, best to use HDD out of a laptop, they sell on ebay, then its about the size of a wallet and powered by the USB.

what model HDD do you have?

I have a PATA 2.5" drive. it runs off 5v, so i won't need external power. i don't want to buy an enclosure, so can i get some tips?

You may not want to buy an enclosure but if you want to use the drive with USB, you will. How do you except to hook up the drive to the USB port without the right connections?

You can get something like this http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-30504-Serial-Adapter/dp... and you will need an external power that comes with it to run a ATA drive. I find that these products don't work as well as a full enclosure though. I've used it lots of times, and often the drive is not detected.

I was mostly thinking of scrounging together a few parts, throwing in some solder, and such, but i already bought an enclosure. thanks for the feedback!   BYE!