I have a parallel ZIP drive and a USB parallel port. I believe the two would work but I can't say I've had occasion to try.
Nonetheless parallel ZIPs are $5 or less at well-stocked Goodwills so overall that is a pretty cheap option, if it works. ;) I happen to be cleaning up anyway so if I come upon them I'll let yall know how it goes. -Tim -----Original Message----- From: Ed Booher <edboo...@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 5:15 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT - new computer On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 2:03 PM, WILTON <wilt...@nc.rr.com> wrote: > Several of you have suggested I turn the hard drive from my old Win 98 > computer into an external HD for the new Vista computer. Ya think I may be > able to do that with the old Zip and 3.5" floppy drives, also? > > Wilton --------------- On Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 3:45 PM, WILTON <wilt...@nc.rr.com> wrote: > HP Pavilion Slimline - s3707c. > > Wilton Ah, thank you. To answer your questions: Can you use a Floppy drive? No. Can you use a Zip drive? Is it internal or external? But most likely No. At least not *inside* the case. The reason is that the motherboard you have is of the "Non Legacy" variety. It has no Floppy nor IDE headers. Both your Optical Drive and your Hard Drive are SATA, and since it is a slimline system with only two serviceable bays, there are exactly two SATA connectors on the board. Now. With that out of the way. You can purchase a USB powered floppy drive if you absolutely have to have a floppy. However, the Macs haven't had a floppy in over a decade, and I can not tell you the last time I *needed* to use a floppy. With USB keys, fast networks, and optical (CD/DVD) burners, data is more portable than ever. As far as the Zip drive is concerned. If it is one of the old external SCSI models, you *could* put a SCSI card into this machine, but only by purchasing a newer PCI-E model SCSI card. That could be cost prohibitive. I think they had some USB Zips there at the end, but you'd have to find one of those if that isn't what you already have. If it is an internal Zip, you could use an external drive housing made for a 5 1/4 size optical drive. This would allow you to convert IDE to USB and with a 5 1/4 to 3 1/2 drive mounting kit it would all fit together properly. I don't know of any 3 1/2 sized external cases that have open bays, most of those are for hard drives only and as such you wouldn't be able to use the disks as they are closed off. I agree with the statement someone else made in another thread of these posts. Keep the old machine, get a small network going, and when you need a file that is on one of those media transfer it from the old machine to the new. It's a very interesting motherboard, actually. According to the spec, you should have an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400 Dual Core processor. But that board will handle the AMD Phenom Quad-Core should you want to upgrade. EdB -- "I'm a Night Elf Mohawk!" - Mr. T. _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com