Abstract: A hard disk drive is rendered removable by modifying its ID buffer to indicate to the host computer that the hard drive is a removable media device. A drive assembly is mounted in a drive bay of the host computer and permanently connected to the assembly. A hard drive is mounted in a removable cartridge that is dimensioned for insertion into the drive assembly. The drive assembly reads the hard drive ID buffer, modifies the buffer and stores the same. Upon request from the host computer, the modified buffer is presented.

Abstract: An adapter for use in a computer system having an IDE interface controller and a plurality of drives. The adapter is connected to the IDE controller and the plurality of drives and monitors information transmitted between the IDE interface controller and the plurality of drives. The adapter determines whether each of the plurality of drives is serviceable and whether data on each of the plurality of drives are equal. Identical data is directed to each of the plurality of drives when data on each of the plurality of drives are equal. Data is prevented from being directed to at least one of the plurality of drives when data on each of the plurality of drives are not equal. One of the plurality of drives is selected as a drive from which to read data.