How to Build an IDE Dual Enclosure

IDE hard drives use a 40-pin ribbon cable to transfer data.

Computers manufactured in the 1990s and early 2000s used the IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface to connect hard disk drives and optical drives to the computer. Modern systems use SATA technology. Due to SATA's superior performance, many users upgrade to the interface, but end up with one or more IDE hard drives left over. Building an IDE dual enclosure will allow you to externally connect your IDE hard drives to your computer. You can use the IDE hard drives as portable storage.

Things You'll Need

• Two IDE hard drives
• IDE dual enclosure
• Crosshead screwdriver
• Antistatic wrist strap

Instructions

1. Put on an antistatic wrist strap to prevent static electricity from damaging the hard drives or the circuit board inside the enclosure.

2. Remove the dual enclosure from its packaging. Use a crosshead screwdriver to loosen any screws securing the cover to the enclosure.

3. Slide the cover off of the case to reveal the circuit board. Remove the first IDE hard drive from its protective packaging.

4. Insert a 40-pin ribbon cable trailing from the circuit board to the 40-pin slot on the rear of the hard drive.

5. Connect a four-pin peripheral power cable to the four-pin slot on the rear of the IDE hard drive. Insert the hard drive into the first bay. Clip or screw the hard drive into place.

6. Remove the second IDE hard drive from its protective packaging. Connect the hard drive to the available 40-pin ribbon cable and four-pin peripheral power cable.

7. Insert the second hard drive into the dual IDE enclosure's secondary bay. Screw or clip the hard drive into place.

8. Slide the cover over the case. Screw the cover into place. Connect the AC adapter to the AC jack. Plug the AC adapter into an outlet.

9. Press the power button on the rear of the case to turn on the dual IDE enclosure. Install to your computer any software included with the enclosure.

10. Connect one end of the USB cable to the USB slot on the rear of the IDE enclosure. Connect the other end to the USB slot on the computer.

11. Click the Windows-logo button located on the left side of the taskbar. Click "Computer" to access your hard drives.

Tips & Warnings

• Some enclosures allow you to slide the IDE hard drive directly into the circuit board.

• You cannot access both hard drives simultaneously. You can only use one hard drive at a time.

References

• Popular Mechanics: Build an External Hard Drive