DVD drive to laptop adpapter???

windcalmer · 07-16-2007, 04:45 PM

The laptop is a Inspiron 3800. I want to hook a full size DVD drive from another PC to it for a case mod I am doing.

What adapter do I need to do this. I know that I will need drivers as well, but what I cannot figure out is what adapter I will need to hook the drive to the Dell.

Any ideas?

BTW, very nice forum.

ebackhus · 07-16-2007, 05:55 PM

An external 5.25" drive enclosure with a USB or FireWire cable is all you'll need. They can be had for about $25 in the US.

windcalmer · 07-16-2007, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Is there not just an adapter that I can use?

I have the power and all worked out, but space is at a premium. LOL

ebackhus · 07-16-2007, 06:08 PM

Well, there are IDE->USB cables out there that will do the job, but they aren't designed as "permanent" installations, just for small jobs.

windcalmer · 07-16-2007, 06:13 PM

Cool. Thank you for the replies. Your a life saver.

ebackhus · 07-16-2007, 06:59 PM

Always glad to help. Feel free to visit if you have more questions!

07-16-2007, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
windcalmer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? The laptop is a Inspiron 3800. I want to hook a full size DVD drive from another PC to it for a case mod I am doing. What adapter do I need to do this. I know that I will need drivers as well, but what I cannot figure out is what adapter I will need to hook the drive to the Dell. Any ideas? BTW, very nice forum.

07-16-2007, 05:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,207 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? An external 5.25" drive enclosure with a USB or FireWire cable is all you'll need. They can be had for about $25 in the US. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

07-16-2007, 06:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
windcalmer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? Thanks for the reply. Is there not just an adapter that I can use? I have the power and all worked out, but space is at a premium. LOL

07-16-2007, 06:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,207 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? Well, there are IDE->USB cables out there that will do the job, but they aren't designed as "permanent" installations, just for small jobs. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

07-16-2007, 06:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
windcalmer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? Cool. Thank you for the replies. Your a life saver.

07-16-2007, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,207 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: DVD drive to laptop adpapter??? Always glad to help. Feel free to visit if you have more questions! __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.