• AppleCentral Network:
  • Tech Support
  • |
  • Open Source
  • |
  • Apple News
  • |
  • Register Domains
  • |
  • SSL Certificates
  • |
  • iPod Deals
  • |
  • Mac Deals
  • |
  • Mac Book Shelf
  • AppleCentral Home
  • MacTech Magazine
    • About MacTech in Print
    • Issue Table of Contents
    • Subscribe
    • Risk Free Sample
    • Back Issues
    • MacTech DVD
    • MacTech Archives
    • MacTech Print Archives
    • MacMod
    • MacTutor
    • FrameWorks
    • develop
  • MacNews.com
    • MacNews News
    • Blog
    • MacTech Reviews and KoolTools
    • Whitepapers, Screencasts, Videos and Books
    • News Scanner
    • Rumors Scanner
    • Documentation Scanner
  • Apple Expo
    • by Category
    • by Company
    • by Product
  • MacForge.net
  • Job Board
  • Advertising
    • Benefits of MacTech
    • Mechanicals and Submission
    • Dates and Deadlines
    • Submit Apple Expo Entry
  • User
    • Register for Ongoing Raffles
    • Register new user
    • Edit User Settings
    • Logout
  • Contact
    • Customer Service
    • Webmaster Feedback
    • Submit News or PR
    • Suggest an article
  • Connect Tools
    • MacTech Live Podcast
    • RSS Feeds
    • Twitter
You are not logged in. [Log In] AppleCentral » Forums » Mods and Hacks » Desktop Mods
      » Hardware Mods » Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop
Register User    Forum List        Active Topics    FAQ
Topic Options
Hop to:
#476525 - 01/29/09 06:40 PM Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
manhackman Offline


Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 173
First of all... sorry for not being very active on the site lately.
On to the issue at hand... The HD started failing in my Tibook and since the case is destroyed and the battery is toast, I think it is time to turn it into a IMac style machine... So it will be getting a custom (hopefully laser-cut) case and I figure I'll have some extra space to add a reg size HD, and get more bang for my buck. 7200 rpm + 500GB. When I search for adapters, all I can find are ones to do the reverse. It is just hard to tell if they will work both ways. I assume that it is just a pin to pin connection, but some of the ebay items have resistors on them, which lead me to believe there may be some circuitry involved. Does anyone own one of these?
Does anyone foresee any other difficulties that may arise?
Thnks everone!
*note* On examining the pic a bit more I think the resistors are only to power the LED, but I think reversing the circuit could still f*ck it up. The solution may to just order one with no LED!

Top
#476526 - 01/29/09 07:51 PM Re: Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
TonimusMaximus Offline


Registered: 01/08/08
Posts: 137
I own one. Not like the one picured, but it is a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter. No resistors, no chips, no LEDs. The pinout is identical with the last 2 pins for power. Wouldn't be hard to make one to fit your app.

Top
#476527 - 01/29/09 08:54 PM Re: Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
mordaskyt Offline


Registered: 01/25/05
Posts: 360
It can be done but is a bit more involved than the simple adapter. Check out this guide:

http://www.applefritter.com/node/10859

Top
#476528 - 01/30/09 04:35 AM Re: Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
TonimusMaximus Offline


Registered: 01/08/08
Posts: 137
I didn't think about the power supply. I forgot the 2.5 drives use 5v. This should work for power and you could make it very small. http://www.elecfree.com/electronic/lm2577-5v-to-12v-dc-converter-step-up-voltage-regulator/ The only problem is power output is only about 800ma. That may not be quite enough.

Top
#476529 - 01/30/09 04:45 PM Re: Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
manhackman Offline


Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 173
Great info!!! Thanks for the help!

Top
#476530 - 02/04/09 07:10 PM Re: Connecting a 3.5" HD to a laptop [Re: Starkman_E]
TCPMeta Offline
MacModder

Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 1816
Loc: Florida, USA
You could always use a micro ATX or ITX power supply to power the system. I think a 100watt would be plenty to power everything.

Top
#476531 - 02/05/09 05:52 AM Powering homebrew imac [Re: Starkman_E]
manhackman Offline


Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 173
Originally Posted By: "TCPMeta"
You could always use a micro ATX or ITX power supply to power the system. I think a 100watt would be plenty to power everything.

.... That's exactly what I decided to do! I just bought a used pull on ebay for $4... 185w. I'm going to be adding a pcmcia card with usb2 and firewire, and it will also need 5v, so it looks like that should do the trick!
I also want to power the rest of the system with it. I can get the 24v needed for the powerbook from the two 12v from the mobo connector, but I must admit I am a bit sketched out to try it. The advantage would be reusing the power up button to boot up the system. (I suppose I could wire up my own relay, but simpler is better!)
I have also ordered the adapter, and a 2.5" to CF card adapter just for some experimenting... It might end up in my mini!
Thanks for the help y'all and if you have any more thoughts and suggestions, keep em coming!

Top
Previous Topic
View All Topics Index
Next Topic

Tweet

Preview

Moderator:  Acumowchek 
Print Topic
Switch to Threaded Mode
Publications, Articles and Industry Discussion
   »MacTech/MacNews Article Discussions
   »Apple World
Marketplace
   »Deals and Special Offers
      »Expired Offers
   »Trading Warehouse
Mac
   »Hardware
   »Software
   »Servers, Security, and Networking
   »Programming, Web Dev & Scripting
   »Windows and Virtualization
   »Cloud and Online Services
Mobile Technologies
   »iPhone Apps, AppStore, and iTunes
   »iPad, iPhone, iPod and Apple TV Hardware
Mods and Hacks
   »General Mods
      »Techniques
      »Miscellaneous
      »Mod Logs
   »Laptop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Desktop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Peripheral Mods
      »iPod Mods
      »Misc Mods
   »Software Hacks & Mods
General Discussion
   »Site Feedback & Issues
   »Stan's Lounge
   »Soapbox
Now Software Support
   »Announcements
   »Now X
      »FAQs
      »Discussion
   »Now Up-to-Date & Contact
      »Community Help
      »Tips and tricks
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
Board Rules · Mark all read
Contact Us · AppleCentral · Top

MacTech Only Search:
Community Search:

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
  • SPREAD THE WORD:
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine
  • Generate a short URL for this page:



AppleCentral. www.applecentral.com
Main office: 805-494-9797
Xplain's use of MacNews, AppleCentral and AppleExpo are not affiliated with Apple, Inc. MacTech is a registered trademark of Xplain Corporation. AppleCentral, MacNews, Xplain, "The journal of Apple technology", Apple Expo, Explain It, MacDev, MacDev-1, THINK Reference, NetProfessional, MacTech Central, MacTech Domains, MacForge, and the MacTutorMan are trademarks or service marks of Xplain Corp. Sprocket is a registered trademark of eSprocket Corp. Other trademarks and copyrights appearing in this printing or software remain the property of their respective holders.
All contents are Copyright 1984-2010 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.
Generated in 0.033 seconds in which 0.023 seconds were spent on a total of 13 queries. Zlib compression enabled.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.5.8