Desktop CD used as an external ?

[Bikerred]

Can I use the CD drive in my Desktop computer as an external drive to load programs on my laptop computer?  If so, how??? or can you refer me to printed instructions?? 

[DaveLembke]

Depends on laptops age and OS... If your laptop is Windows 98 SE * or newer with USB ports you can use a IDE to USB cable to plug your CD Rom into the USB port of the laptop, but you will also need a power source for the drive. It would be easier to not use that drive from the desktop but to buy a new external CD Rom drive for around $40 or so.

* Windows 98 has very limited USB drive interface support.

All newer OS should mount without a problem.

*** If you need to use this drive at boot to install a clean install of OS your BIOS will have to be new enough to support booting via USB.

[BC_Programmer]

I've had success with enclosures designed for hard drives; main problem is it's not really that neat; I had to disassemble the enclosure and use it while it was open. Not a long term or portable solution.

[Bikerred]

Thanks for the prompt reply... The OS on the laptop is Windows XP Home... the OS on the desktop is Windows Vista Home Premium.....
I will take your advice and jts get an inexpensive external CD drive....  Thanks again...