powering external hd? help!

**electricaljunky** · 08-29-2007, 10:54 AM

i have aquiered a laptop to put in as my carpc and i have it powered off of a 12v laptop powersupply. the problem is that the laptop isnt all that gr8 and only has a 20gig hd!

i have a few spare ide hds and thought ah gr8 ill stick 1 of them in, i have found that you can but ide - usb cables but i just cant find any way to power the bugger! anyone got any ideas?

thanks in advance!
tom

p.s. sorry if this is in the wrong place but im a real noob!

**walstib** · 08-29-2007, 11:35 AM

Maybe something like this?

**electricaljunky** · 08-30-2007, 06:44 AM

oo yer, iv found one of those in the uk now! quite expencive though! will this power the 12v rail and the 5v?

anyone got any cheeper options?

thanks

**BiG K** · 08-30-2007, 05:39 PM

It's real simple really, why not just purchase a bigger laptop hard drive and upgrade that?

You kill two birds with one stone then ;-)

**DarquePervert** · 08-30-2007, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by electricaljunky

oo yer, iv found one of those in the uk now! quite expencive though! will this power the 12v rail and the 5v?

Nope. Don't know why he linked you to that, as it doesn't meet your needs, I don't believe.

I think the better solution would be to upgrade your laptop HDD, as was suggested.

**electricaljunky** · 08-31-2007, 04:21 AM

hmmm iv been thinking about it, its just that i got this hard drive for free and im a bit strapped for cash right now! i have found some voltage regulators on ebay with switchable voltage so if i buy two of those it should sort my problem i hope!

i was just hoping that someone would say ah you can use a few resistors and a stabilizing transistor!

never mind!

thanks for all your help!

**walstib** · 08-31-2007, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Nope. Don't know why he linked you to that, as it doesn't meet your needs, I don't believe.

I think the better solution would be to upgrade your laptop HDD, as was suggested.

I assumed he had a 12v rail already, but in rereading the first post it said "i have it powered off of a 12v laptop powersupply". I misread it and interpreted it to mean I have a 12v DC source and need 5v DC.