External laptop CD/DVD drive

[MrGimper]

Hellooooooo

I have a spare laptop CD/DVD writer drive kicking around, and I'd like to use this as an external drive on my A1200 (With Amigakit buffered IDE interface)

I could get a JDA - IDE adapter, some long IDE cables and a long floppy power cable (I have a splitter already) and just run it out the back using the "hole" under the floppy drive, but I'm looking for a more elegant solution.

In an ideal world, what I'd like is a port in the back (under the floppy), connected to the buffered IDE. Then the drive in a caddy of some description with a cable to plug into said port.

So, anyone have any ideas?

G

[FOL]

Cut the case and install in the A1200 case, .

Mine looks awesome, with a DVD Writer in it, .

[Fingerlickin_B]

Check out Zetr0's A600 as an example:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=27727

PZ.

[TCD]

Or phipscube's : http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=54168

[Zetr0]

@MrGrimper

If you are still looking for an external solution (butwant it elegant) then perhaps this idea might help.

you can buy a small IDE to SATA bridge card for as little as $5 including delivery



Now from this device you can then use and external eSATA connector like this one


you can also get the above from the same company for under $5 including delivery as well - you would only need to use one of the external ports so you could just hack down the port and fit it to the Amiga as you see fit.


From here you now need to get a JAE to SATA adapter like this one for £3.50 + £1.37 pnp


now all you need is an enclosure that also provides a little power -


I personally would look at modifying this external chassis for £7.99 (inc postage)


it would be simple to remove the USB part and keep the power part - this could be driven by a small external 5v plugpack of about 500ma - personally I would put the USB board to one side - keep the chassis and modify one of these 12v/5v units for under £2 (inc postage)


there - a little work - but an elegent external solution that would perhaps benefit an A600 more than an A1200 - since this could easily be made internal for a bit cheaper to be honest.

whatever you decide to do - take pics.... if you need more detailed help then please just ask =)

[MrGimper]

@All ... thanks for the info!

@Zetr0 ... All looks excellent ... So the chain from the buffered IDE would be as follows:

Standard IDE cable from buffered IDE -> IDE/SATA Adapter -> External eSATA cable/bracket ->Standard SATA cable -> SATA/JAE -> Lappy CDROM

Cheers!

[Zetr0]

@MrGimper

indeedy!!!!

[MrGimper]

wicked! I've been looking about and I've found this:

5.25 External eSATA enclosure

So .. I may invest in one of these for one of the many fullsize ROM drives I have. That can then connect to the eSATA arrangement in your suggestion.

Noone appears to do slim cdrom to esata enclosures

[rkauer]

I have one 44pin enclosure that resemble the black USB one Zetr0 posted above and it works like a dream on my A500. It may be hard to find.