connect hdd ssd to computer

helpfixcomputer · 30 Nov 2020

computer: computer has a hdd

item: a 2nd Internal hdd

how: to connect a 2nd Internal hdd externally to a computer ?

needs: what do you need? like what cable? everything else what do you need? pls link what is needed on amazon so we can understand what is needed

this is item, a regular hdd: Hard disk drive - Wikipedia

it's not an external hdd, it's just a regular laptop internal hdd

how do we know what are the names of the connector in the regular hdd?
for example the name of the connector labeled on the drive itself would be helpful

is there a chart anywhere?

all the same questions also for ssd

ignatzatsonic · 30 Nov 2020

Do you plan to leave this HDD or SSD permanently connected to the PC?

Or do you intend to connect it weekly or monthly and leave it in a closet the rest of the time?

What do you want to accomplish.....what is the purpose?

NavyLCDR · 30 Nov 2020

If it is either a laptop HDD (2.5" size) or a 2.5" SATA SSD, all you need is a cable to use it temporarily:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Driver-...6715225&sr=8-5

If you want to use it like a true external drive, you should use an enclosure:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool-...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

A full-size 3.5" desktop hard drive requires a cable or enclosure with a separate power supply.

helpfixcomputer · 30 Nov 2020

what does this enclosure thing do basically? does it do anything significant or doesnt?

NavyLCDR said:

cable or enclosure

even tho this isnt about desktop hdd, curious, which does it need exactly? cable or enclosure? does enclosure act like a cable or something that it doesnt need a cable?
interesting desktop hdd needs a separate power supply connect to it

ignatzatsonic · 30 Nov 2020

I've never used an enclosure until very recently...........you'd likely need one for an M2 SSD drive, but not necessarily for an HDD or a standard 2.5 inch SSD.

A dock can work in place of an enclosure for an standard HDD as long as you can supply power to the dock. I think a 2.5 inch SSD will typically work directly from a USB cable without a power supply.

A dock is effectively an enclosure that it not totally enclosed. Most of the drive is out in the open air. You put the drive in the dock and connect the dock to power.

OldNavyGuy · 30 Nov 2020

To get an idea of what external hard drive enclosure looks like -

Computer Hard Drive Enclosures

I purchased this one earlier this year, and works well for my use cases (cloning, or restoring images to new hard drives, testing images).

UGREEN 2.5" Hard Drive Enclosure, USB 3.0 to SATA III for 2.5 Inch SSD & HDD 9.5mm 7mm External Hard Drive Case

zbook · 30 Nov 2020

Somewhere I've got an external HD that is no longer working.
The cable is proprietary and cannot be replaced with regular cables.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex.

Had anyone replaced the cable or purchased a HD enclosure?

itsme1 · 30 Nov 2020

helpfixcomputer said:

how do we know what are the names of the connector in the regular hdd?
for example the name of the connector labeled on the drive itself would be helpful

Look at the image to the right in "Cables, connectors, and ports" 2.5-inch SATA drive on top, the small port is a sata port, the large one is for power. Serial ATA - Wikipedia

In this picture it is IDE port, it is the wide one on the right.

connect hdd ssd to computer-617lhz8qktl._ac_sx466_.jpg

bobkn · 30 Nov 2020

zbook said:

Somewhere I've got an external HD that is no longer working.
The cable is proprietary and cannot be replaced with regular cables.

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex.

Had anyone replaced the cable or purchased a HD enclosure?

What sort?

What types of cables can I get for my Backup Plus or GoFlex drive and how do I use them? | Seagate Support US

Some drives use a USB 3 Micro B connector, but you probably know about that. Amazon.com

mngerhold · 01 Dec 2020

zbook said:

Somewhere I've got an external HD that is no longer working. The cable is proprietary and cannot be replaced with regular cables. Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex. Had anyone replaced the cable or purchased a HD enclosure?

I think we need a picture...