Modern SATA 6 HDDs not fitting in external docks?

I have 2 dual-bay drive docks and no problem fitting 2.5" and 3.5" drives in them, width and thickness no issues. The length doesn't enter into the equation. They are similar to this, one is an Eaxer and the other is Thermaltake. I can use either same size drives or a mix both.

Sammy888 said:

I have a Seagate ST2000DM008 SATA 6 HDD that connects fine to SATA 6 in my Windows 7 PC, but it won't fit in my Thermaltake HDD dock; despite original older SATA 6 HDDs will fit.

Thermaltake is not helpful. They say the dock I'm using is old but it's USB 3 and also fits 2.5 inch SATA 6 HDDs and older SATA 6s. Seagate isn't helpful either. I don't want to buy a new dock unless I know it will fit.

The dimensions of the Seagate are:
Width: 101.85 mm
Depth: 146.99 mm
Height: 20.20 mm

Supposedly, according to AI the standard dimensions of a standard HDD are:
Width: 101.6 mm
Depth: 146 mm
Height: 25.4 mm

It looks like there's a 5mm height (thickness) difference. That's probably what's causing the problem.
A dock that takes a 25.4mm HDD should work for that and the thinner ones.

Sammy888 said:

I asked AI about that...take with a grain of salt. A follow-up response said the height is not the thickness rather length. Unfortunately, no PC shops have a docking station I can try in-store.

I don't care what they "say"... the height is the thickness. 25.4mm = 1 inch, and 20.20mm is .8 inches.

The only other possibility that I can see is that there is a difference between where the connectors on the back of the drive are.
If that has been changed, over the years... that could also cause a problem.


When mounting a HDD inside a computer case... the only thing that matters are the locations of the screw holes on the sides.

I've been using the same computer case that I bought in 2008 (Windows XP days), and I haven't noticed the screw holes changing.



So, all that leaves is the drive thickness, and the location of the actual connectors on the rear of the HDD.



Over the past 25 years, these are the external enclosures I've seen more often than any others.
So I assume these are the better ones.






There's also the possibility that the connectors IN the dock have come loose a little bit, and that could be causing the problem. The connectors on the rear of the HDDs can "crack" also, which would make them... wobbly.

The other thing is that the Seagate is 5mm thinner... so you may have to move it a bit (front to back) (thickness direction), in the dock, for the connectors to "line up"?




We need to remember that a hard drive is NOT a "magazine" for an AR-15 assault rifle.
We don't just "slap" the hard drive in and scream... "lock and load".
Sorry. But I always think of that when imagining putting a hard drive in a dock.

Sammy888 said:

Ha. I agree. AI has been less than accurate and reliable.

I tried to get Thermaltake to comment on both your observations. Thermaltake is dodging around it and won't say one way or another.

Seagate has changed it's support system (no more email support). I have a "pending" case open I had to create via online chat which is a blood nightmare. I spent 2.5 hours going nowhere as well. They discontinued phone support.

I've looked on Amazon for a USB 3.0 3.5 inch HDD SATA 6 adapter. Some are just as expensive as docks. Officially Seagate advises against enclosures and docks. Reviews of these adapters are very mixed. I'm not sure what to do.

My HDDs are new and have little wear on them. I hate to recycle them.

It's probably NOT what you will want to hear... but like anything else... you get what you pay for.
Check the reviews as well. Not each review, On Amazon for example look at the percentage of the 5 star reviews.

75% or above is a good indication that you're getting the... good stuff..



I don't know how many drives your dock can hold... but Sabrent makes good stuff...

Amazon.com


Sabrent external docking stations

Sammy888 said:

I always read the negative reviews first especially the most recent ones. I spent a lot of time the last few days doing so. I added several to my Amazon wishlist and I had to remove them because buried amongst the "bot" or paid reviews, the negative ones carry a lot of weight and have merit. But causing a HDD to catch fire (just one of many examples) isn't a good sign from a no-name Chinese product that has over 2000 reviews and about 4.5 rating.

Sabrent is a company that started in Pittsburgh, PA in 1998
It's since moved to Los Angeles.

About Us - Sabrent



In other words... "made in the USA". So if whatever they sell you breaks... you can go bang on their door.