John H wrote in message
...

Anyone have any recommendations for
removable IDE drive bays on a home system?

I recommend they all be avoided and
firewire external drives be used instead.

With firewire you do have a proper formal
standard and not a monsterous kludge.

I see prices ranging from $12 plastic bays,
http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/BAYATA100.htm

$29 for the aluminum/plastic ICY Dock MB123
http://www.megahaus.com/Itemdesc.asp?CartId={354260D0-A013-4D9E-A077-0E029260238D}&ic=MB123%2DAK&Tp=

and a dear $79 for the DataPort V
http://www.megahaus.com/Customkititems.asp?CartId={354260D0-A013-4D9E-A077-0E029260238D}&kc=DP2200A66%2DKIT

That's quite a price range. Are the cheap ones junk?

Basically.

One thing I can't see from the pictures, is there a
gaping hole when the HD is out or does a cover pop up?

Pops down usually.

Does the fan run with no drive inserted ?

Normally not.