On Feb 8, 2008, at 2:48 AM, Apptech wrote:

> 2     Add USBS front ends to drives.
>
> Option 1 is liable to create more PSU hassles.

I've been thinking for a while that the cheap way to add lots of  
drives is to get those "universal" USB adaptors (http:// 
www.pcmicrostore.com/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:10504271;c:100075), throw  
away the power supplies, and mount drives, adaptors, and USB hub(s)  
inside a (cheap) PC tower case, using the tower power supply to power  
everything.  Tower cases are MUCH cheaper than drive cases, and you'd  
end up with a box that had one power cord, one USB-B incoming socket,  
and a lot of drives.  You could also add drive trays to make some  
swappable drives.  Cheap cases tend to only have about 4 bays, but  
without a motherboard to worry about there should be plenty of room  
for ad-hoc mounting arrangements...

BillW

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