Great toy for the IT folks among us ...

[electron]

While building my next 'mega-usb-boot-all-isos' thumbdrive, I started wondering why no one has come up with a portable hard drive which allows you to select an ISO file on the drive, and emulate a USB CD/DVD drive, so you can consolidate your entire library onto 1 drive, without having to apply any kung-fu to make things boot. Looks like a company (in South Korea from what I can tell) did come up with such a solution, and I must say, it works really well.

It supports eSATA/USB, you can access the HD like a typical mass storage device, but you can also access the mounted CD/DVD (so you could boot your Acronis disc, and store the image on that same drive). Check out the link below for more info. It looks like you can get this device from the manufacturer only, and it took a few weeks to get here, but was worth the wait. Keep in mind you do need a SATA hard drive.
http://www.amazon.com/iodd-2501-Portable-Virtual-Rom/dp/B0034UFOL8

 

[myyaz33]

While building my next 'mega-usb-boot-all-isos' thumbdrive, I started wondering why no one has come up with a portable hard drive which allows you to select an ISO file on the drive, and emulate a USB CD/DVD drive, so you can consolidate your entire library onto 1 drive, without having to apply any kung-fu to make things boot. Looks like a company (in South Korea from what I can tell) did come up with such a solution, and I must say, it works really well.

It supports eSATA/USB, you can access the HD like a typical mass storage device, but you can also access the mounted CD/DVD (so you could boot your Acronis disc, and store the image on that same drive). Check out the link below for more info. It looks like you can get this device from the manufacturer only, and it took a few weeks to get here, but was worth the wait. Keep in mind you do need a SATA hard drive.
http://www.amazon.com/iodd-2501-Portable-Virtual-Rom/dp/B0034UFOL8

Flippin sweet! Thanks for posting. I can think of many uses at work and will be placing an order for a couple.

 

[electron]

It really is an amazing tool, I have been wanting to build something like this for years, but no way it would have been this compact and quick. It works pretty well, moved most of my discs onto the drive. Newegg.com is also having hard drive sale, so this is a great time to buy that 2.5" drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152237

coupon code EMCKJHE26 makes it $64.99

 

[electron]

Just a follow up - I have been really relying on this drive every day now, it's so useful! I copied all my discs onto a 7200 RPM 320GB drive, and haven't had to touch my cd/dvd binder in weeks now.

 

[ASIHome]

I need one of these. Any ideas of where to pick one up?

 

[electron]

The seller on Amazon is actually the manufacturer, looks like they are out of stock, but only on a temporary basis, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long.

I see Zalman has them on their site now, wondering if they are becoming the official distributor for these:

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=431

 

[ASIHome]

I checked all of the Where To Buy stores on Zalman's site and nobody lists the ZM-VE200. Argh. :angry:

 

[electron]

Found a place that has them in stock if you REALLY want it:

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12992

 

[mikejrc]

Found a place that has them in stock if you REALLY want it:

http://linitx.com/vi...hp?prodid=12992

Hello Electron, could this boot DOS, or any Unix like OS as well?

 

[pete_c]

Found a nice review (and and guessing aquired price) here:

Zalman ZM-VE200

Should you want to get it from the UK here's what'll cost:

Sub Total: $53.44
Shipping: Royal Mail International Signed For ex VAT: $20.91

Sub Total inc Shipping ex VAT: $74.35
VAT: $0.00

Total: $74.35

 

[ASIHome]

Found a place that has them in stock if you REALLY want it:

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12992

I am going to be waiting until they are available in the US methinks.

 

[electron]

Hello Electron, could this boot DOS, or any Unix like OS as well?

OS doesn't matter, it's a hardware device. That said, I have booted Ubuntu, Windows Setup discs, Acronis, and many other without any issues. If the system supports USB CD/DVD booting, it will work.

 

[electron]

Looks like NewEgg carries them now, for a lot less:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379021

Thanks to DrunkenLizard for the tip!

 

[pete_c]

Thanks Dan!

Great deal!

 

[drozwood90]

Looks really neat!

I was trying to build something like this using Yumi (Your Universal Multiboot Installer)
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/

It has "some" issues with Windows ISOs. But it's mostly because you need XP SP2+ (or any other NEWER Windows OS). XP SP2+ are the only "official" Windows OS's that support booting from USB.

It seems that this box you've linked does it's own thing so it shows as a CDrom instead...?

Beyond that, I've REALLY fell in love with Yumi. Wow, went to get the link and looks like a new version is out.

--Dan