External HDD For booting

[Ranjya]

I have a i810e + P3 + 256mb + 20GB.
The 20GB HDD is going south.
I can buy a PATA HDD but that will be not such a good idea.
Can I buy a SATA hdd put it into a enclosure and boot from it.
That would be a good buy for future.
I could not find option in BIOS for USB booting.

[hellgate]

u can always buy a pci SATA expansion card for 500 bucks approx.in this way u'll be saved the hassle of making an xternal hdd.

[Ranjya]

I cannot......
PCI 1) GeForce FX5200
2) D-link lan card......dataone
3) USB2.0 PCI card
I guess have to throw away pc and buy new.
There is a adapter for SATA HDD --->IDE slot.
Costs 750/- here in Pune.
But If the SATA does not have a molex power supply
what do I do.

[hellgate]

get a 4-pin molex to SATA pwr converter when u buy the mobo.it sud solve ur probs.

[Ranjya]

Thanks.
Is this available ?
That could solve my problem.
A bit expensive though.
I can boot with present HDD only in safe mode.
After I have rebooted 4-5 times one of my 3 OS boots normally.
I think it is HDD related.

[hellgate]

u can get the pwr converter for free when u buy the SATA hdd.else u can buy it separately for 10 bucks.
connect one end of this converter to the 4-pin molex connector of psu and the other end to the SATA hdd.

[Ranjya]

Are you sure about the 10bucks.
I was checking ebay it is for 54bucks.
Anyway that doesn't bother me.
It is the price of SATA to IDE converter....750/-
That is steep.
I mean Seagate barracuda 7200.10 160gb for 2200/- + 750/- + 54/-(or 10/-)
approx 3000/-
The 750/- is what hurts.
Still you cannot have your cake and eat it too.
Thanks for your help.

[d]

given your situation.. the PATA option is best.. since you don't seem to think that's a very good idea(why?!?!) the next best would be USB.

if you go with a PCI sata card, you will have to install drivers for the card in windows setup from a floppy diskette.. its a hassle.