*Internal* CD writer used externally?

[StompySynth]

Hello friends, first post on here...so hello

I need some advice from the technical crew on here hee hee. Here we go:

I want to get a new CD writer to use with my laptop. The external CD writers are pretty expensive costing as much as £70 (thats $127 for our American friends) but the internal ones are only £20 ($36).

My question:

Can you rig an *internal* CD writer externally? Perhaps mount the thing in some kind of bracket?

Even internal drives arent exactly fragile, they are fully enclosed, its just the connections Im a bit sketchy about. Can you use a USB connection from an internal CD writer sitting on a desk to the laptop?

Sounds a bit off I know but it would be quite a savings....

Wot do u lot think then?

Cheers

 

[dumdum8684]

look for a 5.25" External Enclosure...you can get them for USB or Firewire...make sure that the USB one is 2.0 and not 1.1. That is all you will need....i'm not sure how much they run but you could prolly find one on e-bay

 

[m3incorp]

I was lucky and was able to get a 52X external CDRW for $45 after rebates.

Here are a couple of 5.25 external bays, and there are a lot more out there. All cost around U.S. $30



http://www.meritline.com/usb2-enclosure-hard-drive-external-5-25.html

http://www.phoebemicro.com/Products...closure_/3_5__5_25__external_enclosure_1.html

 

[StompySynth]

Nice one

Thanx for that chaps! I shall scoot around and look for an enclosure. I cant wait for the bloke at PC World to say "But you cant use an internal drive outside, here look at this £90 iOmega external" I'll give him the good news then...

Mruhahahaa