Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gatsby]

It looks like the SATA connection is identical on 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch drives.

I plugged a 2.5 drive into the case for a 3.5 and it fit. But the 3.5 inch case has external power. A 2.5 runs off USB power. So I didn't turn it on.

Has anyone used a 2.5 inch drive in a 3.5 inch case? Do you use the external power?

If this works, I could save myself some trouble and just go with a 3.5 case.

And while we're at it, got any recommendations for brands?

Thanks for the help!

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

It should work without the power. But wouldnt you want a 2"5 case anyways cos its smaller, is a snugger fit for your drive and only cost like 10,000W or something.
There are so many generic 2.5" hdd enclosures.

[DCJames]

Are there any 1.8" drives out there in high capacity (200 - 500G)????

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

The biggest I see on Danawa is 120g for 167,000w.

[Gatsby]

I_Am_The_Kiwi

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

11,400

http://itempage3.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?itemNo=a111073232&firstView=&DR030114=&hdcapital=&mobile=&frm3=V2

[Gatsby]

Thanks very much for trying, Jeff's Cigarettes.

But I won't be getting that one. I saw it on Gmarket and rejected it because someone said they had problems installing the driver. That's apparently why it's so cheap. If anyone owns this case and can say I am wrong, please let me know.

I already bought a 2.5 enclosure, an Mbox. It doesn't work right out of the box. You have to install the driver. There is no auto start when you put in the CD. There is no setup file to start the operation. And of course there is no instructions in English. And my co-teacher couldn't figure out the Korean, with the micro-picture illustrations. So it's gathering dust.

(Do you ever get the impression Koreans make things more complicated than they have to be? It seems they try to impress people by making things pointlessly complex, (perhaps their boss who doesn't know anything about computers?). Gmarket is the most absurdly jumbled up, go here go there, complicated mess of a commerce web site I have ever seen. What were they thinking?)

WTF is the point of a 2.5 enclosure that you have to install software every time you plug it into a different computer? Part of what makes it useful is to be able to move big files around.

So I bought a Next 2.5 case for about 20 kobuks. It works fine, no drivers to load from disk, no screws or screwdrivers needed, either.

But I have two 2.5 drives. So I figure if I could stick one in a 3.5 drive enclosure I could transfer files between them. Heck, if the connectors are fully compatible, you could stick a 2.5 drive in a desktop. But I sure don't want to blow out a 320gb hard drive, so it would be nice to know if it is safe, first.

But seriously, thanks for looking!

For computer newbies out there, you need to make sure you know the difference between IDE and SATA when buying cases. IDE is starting to disappear real fast. For the newer drives you want a case that does eSATA II for a fast external connection to your computer.

I have a second older laptop with IDE and I am getting worried that I won't be able to find a replacement drive if mine dies.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

http://search.danawa.com/dsearch.php?tab=goods&k1=2.5+case+esata+2&x=0&y=0


About 20 or so to choose from. But your going to have to check yourself whether you need install SW for them. To me it doesnt sound right that you need install SW with cases. It defeats the purpose entirely.

As for IDE. You will still be able to find IDE drives in the next 5 years no problem.
Especially in Korea the land of recycled old PC junk in Yongsan.

Why not try one of these cases, or go to a store. Ask them for eSATA 2 drive that needs NO SW.
Or if in Seoul go to Yongsan. Sure it would be much easier.

OR look around for an international brand - i.e Maxtor, Seagate etc that do hdd and enclosures and try get just an enclosure. I have a maxtor enc with a seagate 2.5" drive inside. Works perfect, no need for drivers.

OR

buy another Next case like you have already. Im thinking the MBox thing was a once off for cases that need drivers.