Internal to External ?!?!

[cHooBe]

I have a desktop pc (not tower) and havn't enough room to put an internal DVD writer.
Externals are a bit more expensive than internals so I was just wondering if there is any way to turn an internal writer into an external?
And if you can, is it worth the savings?
Thanx.

[MikeV]

Yes, you can turn an internal drive to external. All that is required is an external 5.25" case with firewire or USB 2.0 interface. Here is an example of an external with USB 2.0 interface.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ME-320U2

[cHooBe]

HAH, Sweet !!!!
I have seen someting like that ages ago but dismissed it for some reason!
Thanx again.

[MikeV]

Your welcome. Always glad to help.

[MillsapsPE]

I just bought the A06 and an external enclosure (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16817145315)
Mounted drive in case, plugged into firewire port and that was it.

[FOO]

If you are a cheap slob like me you can hang the drive outside
the case on the IDE cable. This may take a longer cable.
Looks bad but works.

[cHooBe]

Nice one millsapsPE, thanx alot.

LOL, cheers FOO, I think i'll stick with the case idea.

Forgive me for sounding like a noob but if I purchase from the US , will it work ok in the UK (where I am) or is the voltage, plugs, etc different?

[cHooBe]

OK, here's another !

I have been offered an external CD-writer at a cheap price, can I modify it so an internal DVD writer could fit inside and work as external?

8)

[Faustus]

Likely yes, but what bus is it using? You wouldn't want a DVD burner on a USB enclosure, you want USB 2.0 or Firewire.

[txpharoah]

Firewire is faster in practice, USB 2.0 in theory.
USB 1.1 is slow in both categories.
Does the tower lack drive bays or IDE channels?
If slots, yeah, external or ditch a bay.
If channels, consider an Ultra ATA card or RAID card to expand.

[cHooBe]

Sorry for wait guys, been really busy!!

I now have the NEC ND-1300A (OEM though) and a 5.25" USB 2.0 plug 'n' play external enclosure. The drive plugs in the case with no trouble at all and I can play DVD's on it no problem!

I don't have any DVD media to write to yet and was just wondering if any firmware or anything was needed for the NEC drive, as it came with nothing (being OEM and all)

[wabash]

cHooBe,

Please let me know if dvd-r works with external enclosure.
I read somewhere that dvd+r works but not -r.

Love my Dual bay settup(SVCD is flawless) and would like to *box* dvd-rw.

If not, will have to go with another drive, or move CD-RW to *box*.

Thanx

[cHooBe]

NEC 1300 burns DVD-r's no problem in an external enclosure.

But mine only burns 4X DVD-R/+R at 2X with my firmware (1.06) for some reason

[wabash]

Great!!!!!!!

Ready to order my NEC 1300

BTW what box and media are you using?

Jumper: master?