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How to Convert Your Existing Parallel ATA Hard Disk to an External USB Hard Disk

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Some time back I wanted to buy an external Hardisk, when I enquired about the same I found that a 40Gb external hard disk of brands like Transcend, Seagate cost around Rs.4500. But my requirement was to get a external 200 GB hard Disk and it would cost me a fortune if bought one.


Then one of my friends suggested me to buy an external casing for the hard disk which can be used to convert your existing PATA hard disk to an external Hard disk.

So I bought an 3.5″ external USB casing which perfectly fitted my existing 200 GB.

I got the casing for around Rs. 600 of Intex make and converted one of my 200 GB PATA hard disk as an external hard disk. Now when ever I go out to my friends place all I do is carry my external hard disk with me. :razz:
Steps for converting a internal PATA hard disk to a External Hard disk:

1. Go and get your self a external 3.5″ USB casing.

2. Makes you can trust Intex, Techcom, Frontech. If you want branded ones then you can get iBall make case.

3. Points to be Checked when getting an External case:

  • Make sure the manufacturer provides an power supply.
  • USB Cable to connect to your computer.
  • Fans for ventilation so that your hard disk does not get overheated when in use.
  • Mounting screws.

4. The connecting of the hard disk to your external casing depends upon each manufacturer and connecting is not big problem. Even a child can connect it.

5. Always remember to set your internal PATA hard disk to master before connecting.

6. That’s it now your external hard disk is ready for rock n roll. :smile:

I am posting the pics of my External hard disk casing so that you can get an idea about what an external hard disk casing looks like.

Click on the below images to enlarge.




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This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 8:01 pm and is filed under Computers and Internet, Tutorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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25 Responses to “How to Convert Your Existing Parallel ATA Hard Disk to an External USB Hard Disk”

  1. Cool buddy, can I test it in my laptop? It will certainly reduce the weight!

  2. Yes buddy you can surely use it with your laptop….

  3. Nice one Shiva , does it work with SATA HD also .

  4. There casings for SATA hard disk but they are not available in India.

  5. I have been using a 120GB PATA HD in a USB caddy for years now, its the 3.5″ variety so not so portable, but works great :)

  6. As you said Techz it is little bulky but still portable to certain extent… :razz:

  7. thanks for useful advise.please tell me do intex,and techom have these products easily available in delhi.

  8. Intex and Techcom are easily available in chennai but I don’t about the scenario in Delhi.

  9. Thanx for the useful information.
    Can you tell me the cost of the casing.

  10. The casing cost in chennai ranges from Rs 700 - 2000.

  11. DR.RAMESH CHAND GUPTA on December 5th, 2006 at 1:01 am

    THANKS A LOT FOR THE INFORMATION.IN DELHI THE COST OF 160 GB SEAGATE HDD IS RS.2950 & CASING COST IS Rs. 675.

  12. hi ,

    I have also purchased a 3.5″ harddisk casing for my 80 gb seagate ata harddisk.

    I have try a lot but not succesful till today coz it needs some driver and always “usb device cann’t recoznised” messege.
    That case is packed and having printed as R-drivr II cardbox.

    Anyone help me pls !
    thnx in advance

    Narayan

  13. hi.. thanz for the tip ..

    Can u tell me where can find a 3.5″ usb2+firewire hard disk casing in chennai..

  14. Thanks a lot for that awesome info….greatly appreciated.
    I want to ask whether a SATA hdd will be recognised by a pentium 3 pc…or what hdd type would be preferable for a p3 pc.

  15. You can use ur sata hardisk on ur P3 by using a sata casing for it which is easily available in india..

  16. thanks a lot for the reply Sameer!!! ^^

  17. charjan piyush on May 19th, 2007 at 1:42 pm

    This site rocks.
    Really.

  18. what will be the cost
    will it do for 10 GBhd

  19. Awesome Tutorial,i am also in a similar condition go to try it out..

  20. Tanks for your information

  21. I have little knowledge in Hardware, so am confused in PATA, SATA HDDs… please guide, if I go to a vendor for purchasing a new HDD what type would it be? Thanks for the photographs it really helped… I feel that purchasing a USB casing would be amazing…

  22. I have bought a advik USB casing. When i connect it to my desktop it shows usb disk detected. but after that nothing happen. No drive comes in window.Anyone help me pls !
    thnx in advance

  23. sir
    Could you help me how I can convert to (Samsung sata HDD 250gb) External USB Hard Disk

  24. sir
    I am having 80gb IDE harddisk (internal). i want to buy 160 or 250gb one as internal disk. can i convert my existing 80gb hard disk into external one by buying the 3.5″ USB casing? do i need to change any jumper settings.please advise

  25. Can we use this external casing for DVD burners too??

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