Storage: Upgrading a Retail External Hard Drive
Upgrading a Retail External Hard Drive
by Chris_Fon - 8/11/08 2:49 PMI own a Western Digital My Book (the firewire version) that has gotten a bit small for my storage needs. Buying a bigger one is the normal option, but it seems like a waste paying for another enclosure especially with that expensive firewire components within.
I was wondering if it is possible to buy a nice and cheap 3.5" Hard Drive and replace the smaller one inside. If so, how do I do this??
Thanks
You should be able to replace a HDD of...
by ahtoi - 8/12/08 9:00 AM In reply to: Upgrading a Retail External Hard Drive by Chris_Fonthe same type and larger storage with no problem. Good luck.
Sorry maybe I should add...
by ahtoi - 8/12/08 9:09 AM In reply to: You should be able to replace a HDD of... by ahtoiThere might be a storage size limit. I heard talks here at this forum of such. But I would think up to 500GB should be no problem (because that's my limited experiences, hehe). What size did you have in mind?
500GB
by Chris_Fon - 8/12/08 1:50 PM In reply to: Sorry maybe I should add... by ahtoiI want to swap out my 250GB hard drive for a 500GB one (possibly 1TB if I can find a decent price)
Would the new hard drive have to be Western Digital made??
Thoughts. . .
by Coryphaeus - 8/12/08 2:31 PM In reply to: 500GB by Chris_FonSome enclosures have a size limit for the HD. You'll need to look at the specs on the enclosure. Brand? Doesn't usually matter.
Agree re possible limit by enclosure and with drive mfg
by VAPCMD - 8/12/08 7:45 PM In reply to: Thoughts. . . by Coryphaeusselling externals as complete units vice separates, the enclosures are not separately rated for capacity. My preference... buy good stuff and put together your own externals.
VAPCMD
Here's my custom. . .
by Coryphaeus - 8/13/08 2:15 PM In reply to: Agree re possible limit by enclosure and with drive mfg by VAPCMD400 Gig Seagate PMR, SATA, and a spare case fan.
http://www.wayne2.net/modded.jpg
Note the special use of the PCI cover. LOL Sitting on top of my IBM ThinkCentre (one of several), 3 GHz P-4 dual processor (HT).
Wayne (IBM freak - 6)
Click here to see the CNet faces, learn a little about analog and digital data, Internet connections, Spyware removal, and download free software (and a GREAT chocolate-cherry cobbler recipe).
My mini-Schnauzer is smarter than your honor student.
Good reuse of existing stuff...........not very portable :-(
by VAPCMD - 8/13/08 3:35 PM In reply to: Here's my custom. . . by Coryphaeusfor those that need/want that. Bet it doesn't overheat often.
I have several...a couple of Adaptecs with eSATA, an Antec MX1 ... with eSATA, a couple with USB2.0, and an Adaptec 2.5" external. I'm using mostly WDs 1-400GB and a couple of the 640GBs with 2 HD platters. The 2.5" has a 100GB Seagate.
Just got a new monitor.....my trusty Samsung 1100p (CRT) started gettin' fuzzy and the new HP 24" LP2465 is really quite sharp and very
wide. Good thing it pivots.
VAPCMD
I used to have it in an external. . .
by Coryphaeus - 8/13/08 4:38 PM In reply to: Good reuse of existing stuff...........not very portable :-( by VAPCMDUSB-2 case. Until I looked at the transfer speed of USB-2 vs. SATA. 400 Mb/s USB vs. 3 Gb/s SATA. And it's a little portable, just unplug it. But I don't use it as portable, more like a slave drive. I use another 40 Gig drive in an external USB case to clone my HD. I don't "back up", I clone.
I'm thinkin' we posted results on eSATA about same time..
by VAPCMD - 8/13/08 5:48 PM In reply to: I used to have it in an external. . . by Coryphaeusa noticeable and welcome improvement in performance to be sure.
VAPCMD
Should be easy
by P1h3r1e3d13 - 8/20/08 12:12 PM In reply to: Upgrading a Retail External Hard Drive by Chris_FonYou should be able to use any available hard drive that has the following in common with the one you're replacing:
1. Same physical size - presumably 3.5"
2. Same connection type - IDE(aka ATA) or SATA (If you're not sure which connection your enclosure uses, open it up and compare the connector inside with the pictures at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Drive_Electronics and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sata)
You should be able to simply replace the drive, reassemble the enclosure, and plug it back in.
Of course, if you want to save the data on the old drive you'll need an intermediate place to store it.
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