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  1. Member
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    Hello

    I picked up a used Dell external drive for a couple of quid hoping a adapter exist. Can anyone please tell me if there is such a thing?

    Would i be able to remove the lead and replace with a USB cable?

    http://oi40.tinypic.com/sbo411.jpg


    Thanks
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  2. Banned
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    No. The cable in the picture in your link is a dual-plug USB cable. The external DVD drive requires power from 2 USB connections.
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  3. Banned
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    Holy crap. I have NEVER seen that kind of connector before. I don't think I've ever seen a PC, not even a server, that has that kind of connector. I guess it's a Dell thing.
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  4. Banned
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    I seem to recall a while back that the Dell unit was made by Toshiba. It would work with a laptop that has 2 USB input jacks mounted vertically. If a machine doesn't have two such inputs, you could get 2 individual USB extension lines (female A on one end, male A on the other end) and connect them to 2 USB inputs that are, say, side by side or in different locations. Both USB lines carry power, but only one (so I read a long time ago) carries data. You can still find portable DVD drives with dual USB connections, but those that I've seen lately have a split at the connecting end with an inch or two of wire leading to the two plugs; these still require both of the split ends to be connected to power the unit from USB inputs.
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  5. Member hech54's Avatar
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    I've had great luck with my "Dells of old" but they sure had their fair share of head-scratching-technology(?).
    Maybe Toshiba talked them into that for exclusivity or something.
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  6. Member
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    Thanks for the replies.

    It was worth a punt. I'll give it back to charity shop, and buy one off flebay.

    Thanks
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  7. Member classfour's Avatar
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    If the other end is mini-usb: The cable from an ASUS external might work.

    ;/ l ,[____], Its a Jeep thing,
    l---L---o||||||o- you wouldn't understand.
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  8. Member
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    Originally Posted by hech54 View Post
    I've had great luck with my "Dells of old" but they sure had their fair share of head-scratching-technology(?).
    Maybe Toshiba talked them into that for exclusivity or something.
    Sure did! At one time they even swapped a couple of the wires from power supply to the motherboard so you'd have to buy a "Dell" power supply or motherboard instead of generic ones.
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  9. found this cheap wire which might help you out:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1PU0M68574
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  10. Member hech54's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by KBeee View Post
    Originally Posted by hech54 View Post
    I've had great luck with my "Dells of old" but they sure had their fair share of head-scratching-technology(?).
    Maybe Toshiba talked them into that for exclusivity or something.
    Sure did! At one time they even swapped a couple of the wires from power supply to the motherboard so you'd have to buy a "Dell" power supply or motherboard instead of generic ones.
    The Dell modem/soundcard combo was a nice touch too.
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  11. Member
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    Thanks again everyone for your help.

    mazinz Wrote:
    Re: Dell External Drive to USB Adapter - Does such a thing exist?
    found this cheap wire which might help you out:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1PU0M68574
    This looks great option mazinz, i have a trusty old 4x Nec rewriter in the cupboard.


    Thanks
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