I have a laptop and need to be able to connect to a ata100/133 desktop
hard drive without taking it out of the case. I work on computers and
would save a great deal of time if I could make there hard drive a
secondary hard drive on my system to do virus scans, disk imaging and
partitioning. without taking there hard drive out or installing
software on there system. Is there some kind of hardware I can buy for
this? ps I have a type III card slot if that makes a difference.

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Clarification of Question by cwmoore71-ga on 30 Aug 2004 22:57 PDT

I would like to open the case and plug into the hard drive with my
laptop somehow, unless theres a better way. Thanks Carl

cwmoore71-ga:

Have you considered an IDE to USB converter?  
(e.g., http://www.neticamall.com/adwords/P_1217.htm and 
http://www.cwol.com/usb/usb-2-ide-adapter-ud200.htm )

These would let you connect an IDE drive to a USB port (USB-2 port
would give you a higher speed than USB-1).  You may want to read
google groups under - ide to usb - to learn more about them.  At least
one review ( http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/usb2ide-review.html )
suggests the particular cable reviewed only works if the hard drive is
set to the master mode.  If this is a serious limitation for your
purpose, you may want to look at slightly more expensive alternative
at http://www.cooldrives.com/usb20dicoide.html  or
http://www.ioiusb.com/products/prod_detail.asp?ProdCategory=USB_to_IDE_Bridge_Board&ProdName=U2-IDE03
).  These sites have an OEM flavor, so these products may not come
with cables (which you can buy separately).

You can find other alternatives if you want to choose the USB route to
the solution by searching Google.

--
[I am not an official GA researcher.]

Thanks athena4, that will work perfectly. I cant believe Ive never
seen one of these. I apreciate your help. Carl