using an internal hard drive externally
 

I pulled a 1TB hard drive out of my old desk top and am wondering if I can use it as external HD. It says SATA 64 MB cache on the label
Do I need anything more than cable?

You can look up hard drive enclosures. They are common. It will be a plastic box, and a power supply and the connectors. You will need to get cables as well most likely.

That way you can just turn it on when you need it.

Be 100% is is a USB 3.0 or 3.1 if you have the 3.1 connector on your computer. Do NOT even buy a USB 2.0 enclosure. That is so slow as to be useless.

The are cheap. And it will let you easily turn it off, and put it in the closet or someplace out of the way when you don't need it.

I don't know one USB from another. :confused:

Exactly what Glen said. You buy an enclosure, mount the HDD and then plug in the power and communications cable (likely USB) and you're good to go.

You'll need to know the details of your drive to ensure that you buy something that fits, but that's not likely to be a big deal.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sata+enclosure

Something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Docking-Station-Offline-Function/dp/B06XYL599P/ref=asc_df_B06XYL599P/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241907595991&hvpos=&hvnetw= g&hvrand=2801693147628654193&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt =&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981&hvt argid=pla-401132470768&psc=1

Some folks call them a toaster. I searched external hard drive toaster. I suppose docking station makes more sense. :)

If you go into your device manager it should tell you what your USB adapter is.

Thanks guys!

Don't let him scare you. Remember, his PC is super powered. For the avg person, if you've only got USB 2, it works. It's slower than if the thing was inside your PC, but it works. But yes, if you've got USB 3, then definitely make sure that you take advantage of it.

My understanding is that the main difference is that USB 3 ports should be blue while USB 2 ports are usually white.

https://www.buildcomputers.net/image...5CpB673Doq.jpg

When you get into other formats A vs B vs micro vs mini, etc... there are some other differences.

http://www.l-com.com/images/usb-tutorial_connectors.gif

USB 3.0 typically has a blue edge on one side of the connectors. USB 2.0 is just balck and white.

USB 3.1 is a little tiny one with the same connector on both sides. It is common in cell phone charging cables. There is no upside down with 3.1, it works no matter what side is up.

If you computer does not support it, stick to 3.0. You might have to look at the back of the computer if it is a desktop. A laptop is likely all 3.0 if it is not really old.

The difference is speed from 2.0 to 3.0 is HUGE.

2.0 is really slow and you will hate copying much at that speed. It is like an old dial up modem instead of broadband.

Blue they be.

Then you're good. My older stuff doesn't have them. Slow video uploads and things like that. Time to upgrade when no 3.0 USB's.

It's always time to upgrade. ;):D

I have quite a few docking stations sATA to usb(2 and 3) and they are great and rarely fussy. AND if you need more storage you have plenty of super cheap options in bare sATA drives.

That is USB Type C. 3.1 is the specification, not the shape.

Easy peasy....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1629388566.JPG

Thats what I have except that it is WD Blue. Which case is that?

It's a Sabrent case.
I have a blue WD too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1629398111.JPG

Just slide it out and plug in the other one. Simple.

I dont know how it works but my brother put an extra one in my computer. Semi external?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1629415452.JPG

wtf!?!

Damn Dell and their proprietary non-standard PS connection.