Hot Swapable Drives

[djphan]

Hi Guys:

I want to build a computer with NT Server and win98 (for games). I kinda don't want to do a dual boot. I also want to keep it on two separate drive, if possible. I was thinking about getting two hot swapable hard drives. Not sure how much they cost or best place to get them. Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

[LORE]

You could do external HD's and just unplug one and plug in the other.


I think you are a little confused on the whole "hot swapable" term though

That means that you can plug a device in or unplug it while the machine is running. For running difrent operating systems you would have to turn the computer off and unplug one drive, and plug in the other.


You could buy 2 external drives and just swap between them, but on the cheapest of sides, buying one at best buy, I believe they run pretty high, maby 500 bucks for a 10 or 20 gig drive??? I know this is not a cheap solution.

Why don't you want to do a dual boot, it can realy work quite nicely?

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We may be through with the penguin, but the penguin may not be through with us

[djphan]

Thanks for the reply LORE:

Yeah, I phrased it incorrectly. I guess I am just looking for a case that has the hard drive in the front so I can swap them. Any ideas where (web page)I can get them, ? I 've been searching online with no luck.

[djphan]

Thanks for the reply LORE:

Yeah, I phrased it incorrectly. I guess I am just looking for a case that has the hard drive in the front so I can swap them. Any ideas where (web page)I can get them, ? I 've been searching online with no luck.

[LORE]

The only cases that I know of that have an open slot in front of them for easy drive access are servers. I just got done setting up a compaq file server for a client that had 9 drive bays in the front of it for raid 5. That way you can hot swap drives. I realy don't think you want to spend the money for something like that, and it still wouldn't be what you wanted.


I think you will have to buy a tall, full size case, cut some holes in the bottom front of it, and make your own "custom" case for what you want to do. I would recomend paying attention to your air flow though because a big gaping whole in the front can realy disrupt the proper air flow and allow air to just circulate in the case. Otherwise you could get a normal case, mount two drives in it, and just leave the side of the machine, although if you are swapping everyday, I should think the cables and drives would wear out eventualy, and get bent pins and so on.


I still think you should look into a dual boot machine.

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We may be through with the penguin, but the penguin may not be through with us

[goinpostal]

Here is a link to aa vendor I use they sell kits that fit in standard drive bay and you install your own drive (IDE or SCSI) the kits are pretty reasonable and I have had good experience with the vendor though I have never used these kits.

http://www.axiontech.com/cgi-local/h...++++++++++++++

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--The Internet -- It's not just for porn anymore!!!

[RGK01]

Go to www.computergate.com and under category search select "HDD Mobile Racks"