How to Hook Up an Internal Hard Drive Externally
External hard drives are handy. You can use them to back up data, transfer large numbers of files from computer to computer, or just use them as portable storage. While prices on external hard drives have plummeted, why buy one when you already have several perfectly good internal hard drives laying around?
With the purchase of a compatible enclosure, you can turn any internal hard drive into an external one---and for less than you can purchase a new external hard drive from the local computer store.
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Things You'll Need
- Internal hard drive
- USB hard drive enclosure (compatible with your hard drive interface and size)
- Anti-static wristband
- Mini non-magnetic screwdriver set
- Available electrical outlet (3.5-inch hard drives only)
Instructions
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1
Put on the anti-static wristband. Attach the alligator clip onto a grounded metal part of the computer chassis. Now you won't accidentally fry a delicate computer part with stray static electricity jolts.
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2
Open the external hard drive enclosure.
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3
Mount the hard drive inside the disk enclosure following the instructions that came with the enclosure.
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4
Connect cables on the enclosure to the hard drive. If using an IDE hard drive, set the jumpers according to the instructions that came with the enclosure.
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5
Close the external hard drive enclosure.
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6
Connect the power and USB cables to the outside connectors on the hard drive enclosure.
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7
Plug the power cord into an available electrical outlet. (NOTE: 2.5-inch hard disks will not need this step, as they are powered by the computer through a USB connection).
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8
Connect the USB cable to the computer.
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9
Power on the new external hard drive. Windows will install drivers for the hard drive automatically and sometimes need to restart.
Locate the logical drive letter for the external hard drive in "My Computer." Your new external hard drive is now ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Take care to accurately set the jumper settings on IDE hard drives before placing in an enclosure. Inaccurate jumper settings can prevent your computer from being able to access the hard disk.
There are also Firewire and eSATA external hard drive enclosures available. Verify that your computer has a compatible connection before purchasing one of these.
Always stop the device using the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon on your task bar before unplugging the hard drive. Failure to do so may result in lost data or a damaged hard disk.
References
Resources
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Comments
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dseanc
Feb 12, 2010
absolute nonsense, you state that you can use an internal hd as an external one, but completely discount this with your explanantion. all you have done is show how to connect an external hd to a pc, a backward chimp could do that.
