Anyone converted a laptop harddrive for desktop computer? 1

[MacAye]

I have some salvaged 2.5 inch harddrives (HDDs) from expired laptops. I can make them run, though slowly, using a USB interface. I would rather connect them as internal drives to the bus. I know that the voltage requirements are different from desktop drives, but do not know if the interface is different. I found no converters amongst parts vendors. So, has anyone done it? Advice welcome.

 

[wolluf]

You can buy IDE adapters that have a connector for the laptop drive and a power supply connector to connect to standard PC power supply point. I've only seen ones that take use an IDE connector just for the one laptop drive, but have seen others described allowing the normal 2. They cost c. £5 here in UK.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Or you could do what my friend does with his old laptop drives. Turns them into portable storage like a really big jump drive lol.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[G0AOZ]

Those 2.5" drives will come in two flavours... IDE and SATA. As already mentioned, 2.5"-to-3.5" IDE adaptors are readily available. The SATA 2.5" drives required no adaptors - they just connect straight up to your existing desktop PC SATA connectors.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[MacAye]

Direct hit, wolluf! Knowing what to call it really makes a Web parts search go better. I just bought two at $10 each plus post, which in this country is almost as costly as the part!

electronicsfreak, I have a two harddrives-on-a-string (actually a USB cable). They are ideal backup and portable devices since their capacity is so high. However, if you want to point software at them, the drive ID is absent when they are unplugged and that does cause some software to freeze!

G0AOZ, these are older drives so they appear to be IDE. I've not yet seen a SATA 2.5-inch.

Thank you all for you good advice.