Tech: Calling computer techs!

Subject: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 29 Jun 19 - 07:43 AM

I have a Lenovo E73 Thinkcentre mini-tower desktop, which works extremely well. The only problem is that being a mini-tower, there is no room to install a second SATA DVD recording drive that I need. I have seen a cable which will convert both power and Data from USB to SATA in order to run a normally internal hard drive as an external drive. Would there be any problem with using such a cable to run a DVD drive?

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: olddude
Date: 29 Jun 19 - 07:45 AM

No problem at all

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jun 19 - 07:45 AM

I think it has to be usb3 to provide enough power but I could be wrong.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 29 Jun 19 - 07:59 AM

Ah yes it has a couple of USB slots so thanks for that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 30 Jun 19 - 06:48 AM

Go for it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Jun 19 - 04:38 PM

USB 3 for the necessary speed too.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Stanron
Date: 01 Jul 19 - 03:05 AM

USB 3 sockets are blue. USB 2 sockets are black. A quick visual check will tell you which you have. You can get a PCI card for USB 3 if your computer will accept one.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: ST
Date: 01 Jul 19 - 07:40 AM

In my experience, these USB-to-SATA dongles were too prone to overheating. A bit too much load, and they're toast — with good chances of the filesystem going FUBAR taking all your data with it, too.

If you have available SATA connectors, both data and power, and the box is not moved around too often, it might be way better to just put another internal drive onto the box's floor. It's reasonably safe, and drilling a hole to fix it in place with one single screw makes such mount almost as good as the standard one.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Jul 19 - 08:08 AM

Those USB 3 [or older 2] to SATA cables are basically external USB cases without the case...

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: olddude
Date: 01 Jul 19 - 09:13 AM

Punk exactly correct

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Jul 19 - 05:13 PM

Thankyou all for your comments.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 04:00 AM

My Lenovo laptop has an eSATAp socket but no USB3. Speed not far short of USB3. the "p" is for power, there was an eSATA socket.

I bought an eSATAp external disk disk, (2.5 inch) and that does not over-heat. Since then I bought an eSATAp case and fitted a 2Tb 2.5 inch disk. Both perform well, and they both have a 5V socket which you could power from a mains power pack. Both externals have USB3 sockets too.

Have you considered using the RJ45 Ethernet port (Or even a WiFi version) for external storage?

Ports on the E73:

    Front ports
    - Two USB 2.0, microphone (stereo, 3.5mm), headphone (stereo, 3.5mm)
    Rear ports
    - Two USB 3.0
    - Two USB 2.0, serial (9-pin), optional 2nd serial (9-pin)
    - Optional parallel (9-pin), keyboard (PS/2), mouse (PS/2)
    - Ethernet (RJ-45)
    One Intergrated VGA port
    One Integrated Display port
    PCIe WLAN4 : 11b/g/n wireless, PCIe Half Mini Card, Intel Centrino® Wireless-N 2230, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo adapter, 2x2 (selected models)
    Ethernet : Gigabit ethernet port, Realtek RTL8111GN, Wake on LAN®

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 11:01 AM

Why not an external DVD drive that connects directly by USB?

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 11:14 AM

I'd guess Bonz is recyling an old internal drive..
I'm sure we've all accumulated too many gathering dust in the last 20 years...

Though, brand new USB DVD drives can be found on amazon dead cheap...

I still can't find an affordable Blu-ray drive, internal or USB..
They never came down in price,
and now they are becoming obsolete & extinct, will probably get even more expensive...

Whenever I did see anything like a bargain Blu-ray drive,
disgruntled user comments always indicated some known deal breaker problem...
If I remember correctly, usually the need to purchase very expensive Blu-ray player software...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: robomatic
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 11:26 AM

Some modern USB3 sockets are not blue anymore, but there is a special and usually hard to read symbol incorporating "SS" by the socket. I believe that is the same as USB3.

Subject: RE: Tech: Calling computer techs!
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 11:56 AM

if he is re-using existng HDD you can get a caddy with USB and external power.