Hard Drive/Computer Case Help

Hi,

I have a question about what to do with an old hard drive.

About 10 years ago, an ex built a computer for me. It's about on it's last legs, although the hard drive (removable) is fine and I would like to keep that and be able to use it.

I thought about buying a new case and whatnot and trying to install it there. Unfortunately, money is kinda tight right now and so I can't really afford to buy a new tower from the store for a few hundred bucks, just to have something to plug my hard drive into.

I thought about the "build your own" type stuff. But, then I would have to buy the case/power supply, and most of them you have to buy and install your own motherboard. I don't know much about that kind of stuff.

So, I'm not sure what I can do.

I currently do have a computer, but it's a laptop, and needless to say, no installing my old hard drive on it.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

Because you say the computer is old, I assume it is a 3.5 IDE instead of SATA. You could buy an external drive enclosure for the hard drive. You will have to check to see if it is IDE or SATA and the size. Then you can connect it to your laptop via the USB cable. But, you would also need a power source for the power adapter.

http://www.laptopparts101.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/sata-ide-laptop-hard-drive.jpg

The enclosures can be found at stores like Newegg. Or you might get a good deal on ebay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1S3XfRn8fk

 

So, something like this would be what I was looking for?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182153

Thanks so much.


The hard drive is Maxtor 6E030L0

 

Yes, that should work for your Maxtor drive. Just be careful when handling the bare drive. Ground yourself by touching any part of the metal case of the computer before removing it. Avoid touching the PCB of the harddrive.

You have a 3.5" IDE drive.

http://discountechnology.com/Maxtor-6E030L0-IDE-Hard-Drive

 

Great. Thanks again!