hi all,
am running 2 internal ide HDDs. i have a 3rd ide 8gb HDD which sits in a cupboard draw, which i bring out every 2 weeks hooking it up as slave internaly and doing a routine backup of important files.

i don't wish to have it permanantly hooked up internally and i'm getting tired of shutting down, slaving it, backing up, shutting down, removing it, booting up. So i thought of connecting it temporarily each time to do the backup with a USB 2.0 connection to the back of the rig. Is this hotpluggable ??

QUESTION: which would be better >>> to buy a 3.5" ide HDD Enclosure or just simply an IDE To USB2.0 Adapter Lead ?

i could then sit the HDD on the wooden desk just behind my monitor outa sight and hotplug the USB lead (either Enclosure or Adapter) to the back when needed. that would be great.

or it doesn't matter >>>> an Enclosure OR IDE to USB Adapter Lead both work fine ?

thanks :)

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Central Coast NSW Aussie

There are 10 types of people in this world: those who understand binary and those who don't.

The enclosure just protects the drive better.

yep that's what i was thinking OTH >>>> exposure to dust/pollution not using the Enclusure method (smoker here too). Alright, i may go with the Enclosure method. they aren't expensive.

cheers

.
Central Coast NSW Aussie

There are 10 types of people in this world: those who understand binary and those who don't.

Hard drives are pretty well sealed.