[modofc]

I have a 3 yr old 80 gig ide hard drive that is working fine and I want to convert to a usb external drive. What do I need to do that? It will have still have Windows XP on it plus my data. What cables and kind of external case will I need? Is this a relatively simple project? My new computer I want to hook it to is a Dell with Windows XP home addition on it with 250 GB hard drive and 1GB ram.

[JohnWill]

You can't boot Windows from an external hard disk, so there's no point in having XP on it.

All you need is an external drive enclosure.

Pick one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...losure&x=0&y=0

[net_newsy]

...good idea if you have a spare drive sitting idle

[modofc]

Once I get the hard drive setup in the external case can I take off XP and still have the data and already install applications available to use? I'd like to not have to reinstall the software that is on this drive. I read in another source that reformating the drive is recommended. What do you think? What would be the best way to remove XP from this external drive?

[JohnWill]

The applications are unusable, the data is fine.

[Tigger2uall]

Great idea! Thanks for asking the question. I have several sitting here that I had no idea what to do with or how to go about it. I was looking to purchase an external hard drive to store all my PSP stuff on and now I don't have to. Thanks for all the information guys!