[Solved] Help with a storage problem

Forum Storage : Hard Drives [Solved] Help with a storage problem

Hi

I have an old computer that I don't use, it's several years old. It has multiple HDDs in it, but they are IDE connection so was not able to move into my new system. I know about external enclosures, but I'm looking for some kinda of enclosure that can hold 2-3 HDDs so that I can get access to the information on those drives

Reply to TrickyNick

Why not just get one of such enclosure and empty the drives one by one, then throw them away or give away since parallel ATA drives are hardly useful anymore.

Reply to sub mesa

Cause I'm running low on HD space, and would like something external to hold some files that I don't access all the time.

Reply to TrickyNick

Buy a 1.5TB drive, they are cheap. Then you wont have low HD space too.

Reply to sub mesa

true, but I'd still like my original question answered.

Reply to TrickyNick

I'm sorry but i fail to see a question in this thread.

If you're looking for a PATA RAID DAS, good luck! You probably won't find it.

Its a terrible solution anyway, since the DAS cannot be used with any modern drive and only tiny old PATA drives you have at the moment. So you spend like 3 times as much as a 1.5TB drive, and still get lower reliability/speed/capacity and takes 6 times as much power also.

So are you sure you want to go in that direction? In my opinion, its a clear waste of your money and effort.

Reply to sub mesa

ok, how about you give me the difference in money to buy a 1.5TB HDD compared to 3 external HDD enclosures. I'm trying ot avoid 3 different ones, I just want one. But if you give me the difference, I'll buy the 1.5TB HDD

Reply to TrickyNick

How about you spend you own money?

You think a 3-disk DAS is cheaper than a single 1.5TB drive? LOL good luck buddy!

It would be like 200 euro for the DAS and 80 euro for the 1.5TB drive. So basically, you're robbing your own wallet if you go through with your plan.

But hey don't believe me, just buy PATA and PCI and anything that's worthless in a few months after your PATA disks start showing media errors too.

But its your money to waste.

Reply to sub mesa

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0&name=IDE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] name=1.5TB

14.99 + 2.99 shipping times 3 = 53.94
1.5 TB HDD = 99.99

Yep, the drive is cheaper, alright.

Reply to TrickyNick

Please tell me which enclosure allows you to use all your three PATA drives? I don't see it.

Reply to sub mesa

That's why I am asking here if there is one. I haven't been able to find one.

I could go the 3 enclosures, but I would rather skip that and just use one.

Hince, my original question.

Reply to TrickyNick

Yes i understand that, but the problem is these 3-disk DAS systems are expensive, more expensive than one 1.5TB modern drive.

What's the size of your PATA drives? Are all three of the same size?

Reply to sub mesa

honestly, I don't remember. I haven't even turned on the old computer in over 1.5 years. I know there are some pictures and some other data that I want to get off it, after I do that, I'd just like to use them as external drives to hold seldom used files.

Reply to TrickyNick

Best answer

Well i suggest you just buy 1-disk DAS PATA enclosurues then, which are cheap and readily available. That way you can have your data off, use them as external disks, and still be affordable.

While with a 3-disk DAS/NAS you would need to look very hard for one that supports PATA as that means its non-hotswap and thats typically a feature these products desire. It would also be alot more costly, than just 3 PATA enclosurues.

Reply to sub mesa

Here's another question....
Should I just keep it the way it is and just leave that computer on 24/7 and use the drives that way? It's an XP Pro system.

If so, would that make my electricity bill go up much?

Message edited by TrickyNick on 03-09-2010 at 09:13:46 PM

Reply to TrickyNick

Best answer selected by r_manic.

Ask the community Add a reply

Related content

See all topics related to "Help with a storage problem"

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Storage > Hard Drives > [Solved] Help with a storage problem

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 1625 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 0.415 seconds

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel