[iampan69]

is there a way to take a external cd-r/rw drive and put a 40 gig ide hard drive into it? the cd-r/rw is a mitsumi model #cr-4804te and the hard drive is a western digital wd400. I really need the space so if not is there another way to use, I already have a secondary hard drive and there is only two jacks on the connector. please help. oh yeah my comp is a dell dimension 2400 when I put the hard drive into the external casing, plugged it into the usb it said the device was not recognized. I hope this enough info

[Hybr!d]

A much simpler idea is to get a external USB 3.5" hard drive enclosure.

On eBay shouldn't cost much more that $15.

Actually just had a look, here is an example; http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-USB-2-0-EXTERNAL-3-5-HARD-DRIVE-ENCLOSURE-CASE-BOX_W0QQitemZ150310789812QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Dr ives_Storage_Internal?hash=item150310789812&_trksi d=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240 %3A1318

[iampan69]

it wont fit in that casing its to big, any other ideas I have no space on drive and cant do my work

[Hybr!d]

It will, that is a 3.5" case, your HD is 3.5"?

They only come in 2 sizes, if it is smaller it is a laptop hard drive, then you need a 2.5" case.

[iampan69]

u r right thank you

[Hybr!d]

You're welcome.