This is exactly what I was going to suggest. However, I would recommend against using a pata-usb adapter. I used a drive enclosure similar to this one. The case slides right off and the hard drive itself will mount directly to the PCB so you don't have to worry about things rattling loose. Without the outer cover, the assembly would only be about 1/8" thicker than the hard drive itself, and a much more stable alternative to an adapter