Resolved How do I convert an old internal HD to a USB external drive?

Hello everyone!

I finally have my "new" Windows 7 computer (I actually don't mind it and definitely prefer it over Windows 8!) I haven't transferred any of my stuff (pictures/music/documents, etc.) from my old Windows XP computer and not sure that I even want to do this, thus the reason for my question.

My old computer has a hard drive of 150GB (with only about 40GB used and is fairly new) and this new one only has 80GB.

I've only begun researching on how to convert an old internal HD to an external one. Hoping that someone here can give me some guidance?

I know that an "enclosure/adapter" would need to be purchased, but how do I know what kind I need to get? (Any recommendations?) I've read something about ISDE and SATA and don't have a clue what that pertains to?

Once purchased, would this be something that I could possibly do myself? (i.e taking out the old hard drive and putting it in the enclosure?) If not too difficult, I think I could maybe handle it with step-by-step help.

Once completed (old hard drive removed and installed in adapter) would I be able to access not only my pictures/documents, etc., but also any programs that are on that drive?

Thanks for any insight given!

 

Hi Vicki, I've got one of these units called ALL in 1 HDD Docking:
All-in-1 Dual HDD Docking Station with One Touch Backup for 2.5 "/3.5" SATA/IDE HDD

There's quite a lot of info available at the site and the package comes with instructions and a mini CD Software disc. Not too pricey.
Someone else may have a better idea so wait for more Posts.
Yes to your last question.
We should be able to 'walk' you through HD removal - some are "Tools Free" installs which are very easy to work with. Neil.

 

You have a new computer, and it only has an 80GB harddrive? Most new machines now-a-days come with at least a 500GB drive installed.

This is not criticism, mind you, but I have never seen a new Windows 7 computer, out of the box, with such a small drive. Maybe it's possible, but I have never heard of it until now.

Nevertheless, if I were you, I would consider installing the old drive *inside* your new PC - if there is an available drive slot. Problem is, if your old machine's drive is the old EIDE type (connects with a ribbon cable), then your motherboard may not support that drive unless you have an appropriate adapter.

Here is a YouTube article that explains some of what I am referring to...

ComputerTV How To: Convert an IDE Hard Drive to SATA ​

...and here are some closeup images of the two connectors...

SATA vs IDE​

If your new motherboard does have an available EIDE connecter, then you will not have to purchase anything - or, if your old drive is SATA, then all you will need is another SATA cable, and you are good to go.

You can still go the external route, if you like, but you will not need a separate enclosure if you go the internal route, and you will probably get better transfer speeds as well.

Another option is to network the two PCs together via a router and transfer files that way, but your storage space will be limited with only an 80GB drive installed. Windows 7 operating system can eat up 80GB in a hurry.

By the way, what is the model number of you new computer?

EDIT: Oops, I see Neil beat me to the punch.

 

James, I wondered myself regarding an 80GB HD - thought it might be SSD but it isn't. Vicki's OS is only 32bit too. Found this PDF of the Manual and interestingly there is an IDE connector on the Motherboard. Intel® Desktop Board D945GPM Product Guide
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15173/eng/D945GPM_ProductGuide02_English.pdf Neil.

 

Looks like the board will support both EIDE and SATA drives. That's great. If Vicki wants to, she can take the HD out of the old machine and install it in the new one from the looks of it.

It's been a while since I installed a drive. Can she mount this drive in Computer Management and access her files without the need for reformatting? I know she'll have to assign it a new drive letter.

 

I think it would have to be set on the jumpers to Slave or Cable Select and possibly a BIOS change.
It may currently be used for the ROM Drive (DVD/CD player). It may be complex to get the Files, Photos to transfer from that IDE to the SATA. (I'm not familiar with the required setup)
I would myself put the Photos on a Thumb Drive and Import them through the USB connector. It may be possible to transfer all the required info in this fashion. Neil.

 

I thought about that too, but another way is to network the two computers together through the router (if she has one), and use Windows Easy Transfer (found in Windows 7 Accessories menu). Easy Transfer works with thumb drives too.

In my experience with Windows 7, an 80GB C drive sounds awfully small for storing files, music, and photos - along with the operating system too. My C partition is 150GB in size, and even after storing all downloads, music, and photos on partition D, C drive is still using slightly over 100GBs for the operating system files!

Course, a 32-bit operating system will probably need less drive space, but how much, I don't know. Eventually, though, Vicki will need that extra HD for storage (in my opinion) just to make sure C drive doesn't fill to capacity. If I were in her shoes (and had the funds), I would opt for a new 500GB or higher HD (or maybe an SSD) and install Windows on it, and use the other drives for extra storage (internally or externally).

 

I think a 250GB SSD would be too much for Vicki to consider - they price from $241.00 to $329.00. Newegg and Amazon have them about $80.00 cheaper but she could pick up a SATA HD 500GB for about $120.00 Neil.

 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. I apologize for any misconceptions, so I should probably clarify my "new" computer. This (I believe) is actually a refurbished/upgraded Windows XP Gateway computer. (So it's not new out of the box).

With all the talk about not using Windows XP anymore and not liking the way Windows 8.1 works (I have that on my laptop) I purchased this one through E-Bay at a very minimal cost.

I didn't want to spend a lot of $$ in case Microsoft decided to come out with another OS in a few years (after so many people complained about their last one!)

My old computer worked relatively fine (with a few minor glitches in the video department). I didn't do a lot with my computer, mostly reading Facebook, writing e-mails, some browsing and occasionally making purchases. Didn't use it to download music, play games or watch movies, etc., but I did upload my camera pictures on it.

I realize the hard drive on this newly acquired computer is small and that's why I hadn't transferred any of my files to it. (I did copy my pictures to a thumb drive though).

Guess that's why I was inquiring about using the old hard drive as an external one in hopes that I wouldn't have to go through copying/transferring everything again if/when I ever do get another computer.

After reading through all the suggestions, I think I may have gotten cold feet about even trying to do anything with that old hard drive! But I certainly appreciate all the suggestions. Maybe I just need some reassurance that this is still doable?

Thanks again!

 

It's doable, but I can't remember (after transferring the old drive to the newer machine) if one can access the files from the old HD without reformatting or not. You could backup all of the data on CDs, DVDs, or a few thumb drives, and that way, you don't have to worry about losing that data if the old drive needs reformatting. I've done it before myself, but it's been a few years ago.

If Windows 7 is running well on the Gateway, I would consider purchasing a newer SATA HD and installing Windows on that drive, although you will need to research the motherboard documentation to see how large a drive the board will support.

 

Hi Vicki, That refurbished comp was first released around 2005/6.
You would be able to slave your 150GB HD and view the Files/Data/Photos that are on the drive.
You may be able to transfer them using W7 abilities? (I have no experience in this - yet). You don't have to Format the Drive for this.
You say you've taken the photos you wanted and saved them to a Thumb drive?
Those photos could be imported to your W7 HD from the USB Thumb drive using Picasa (Google) software which is free. (I use it all the time).

80GB Hard Drives are small by what is available today - but it should be big enough for what you want to do. If you're not downloading and SAVING heaps of stuff, you will be able to carry out your normal tasks.
Just carry out normal maintenance (clearing temp files and defragmentation) and you will be OK. Neil.

 

That would settle it for me.

How to Add an Extra Hard Drive to Your Computer​

This tutorial includes the part about Disk Management, but the formatting step can be omitted according to Neil.

 

James, As I read it Vicki's "old" Hard Drive has 110GB's used. This would be with XP as the OS. If she Formatted that Drive - she would lose everything on it.

What we don't know for sure - is the "old' HD IDE or SATA?
I've connected HD's with the same IDE connector to another comp - slaved the drive (changed the jumper) and started the comp.
With SATA HD's you just plug them in - there are no jumpers.
When you open > My Computer > you see the 2 drives and the slave gets an assigned Alpha letter. You can then Double click on that drive and open it and go through what's on the drive.

Vicki could install the "old" drive she has whether it's IDE or SATA. It may require cables to connect and if she installed the Gateway motherboard drivers in the HD, it would run in the comp. There's a little more to it than the simple explanation but I don't think it's for the lay person to attempt. Neil.

 

110 used. Must have a lot of Pictures, Music or Movies on it. That sure is a bunch of stuff on an old XP drive.

 

Right.

I knew she would lose any data after a format, but in my haste, I didn't word myself correctly, and I made it appear that the data would still be available. My fairly new Dell does not offer IDE connectivity, and if I had the proper adapter, I would experiment on my own equipment and post the results.

That would easy to tell if Vicki could peer inside the machine and see if the drive is connected with a gray ribbon cable or not. Or she could post the model number for us to look up.

 

Oh my, this is becoming more and more confusing for me! But that just goes to show how little I know about computers!

Somehow the information about how much space is actually used on that old hard drive has been misconstrued:

so it actually has alot of space left on it.

I did look inside the old computer and yes, it does have the gray ribbon cable to connect the hard drive.

Haven't looked inside this Gateway one to see what type of cables are used, but can do that if you think it would make any difference?

Despite my confused state reading all of this, I do find it interesting! Guess this is the best way for me to learn!

 

Right on - great attitude! And I'm learning along with you.

 

It wouldn't make any difference since the Gateway (according to the manual Neil found) has connections for both types of cables. Computers made during that time period should be able to automatically detect a second harddrive, but if the extra drive is not visible in My Computer, or Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management after booting into Windows, someone will have go into the BIOS and make changes so the drive can be detected. Incorrect jumper settings could foul things up too.

Outside of entering the BIOS, the job looks & sounds harder than it really is, but if you feel this is too much for you, then I would ask around and see if there is a technically-inclined friend or relative that could do the job for you.

 

Sorry Vicki, I did a retake on my usage figures and you do have 110GB's UNUSED. Obviously no need for a large HD from the use you have for your comp. Neil.

 

Thanks everyone for all your input on this subject!

I still haven't decided what course of action I will take, but will keep researching and studying about those different ideas that have been offered.

If at some point I do come up with a solution that will work for me, I'll be back to let you all know!

Thanks again!

(Will mark this resolved for now.)