Hardrive from dvd recorder...can i use it for laptop??

[lostboy87]

I have an old samsung dvd recorder that stop working ages ago.I have taken the 32 gig hardrive from it and was wondering if their was anyway i could use it for my laptap.
Thanks.

[ChuckFickens]

there are different types of hard drive (IDE or SATA being the main 2). it should say on the drive somewhere what sort it is.

If it's the same type of hard drive as is currently in your lappy then you could replace your existing hard drive with it and reinstall everything.

But probably a better and easier way to use it is get a external USB caddy to put the drive into and connect it via your lappys' USB port and use it as a second drive, make sure you get the correct sort of caddy though (again either IDE or SATA)

Selection of them below

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/026-1 968844-6763653?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-ke ywords=2.5+usb+caddy&x=0&y=0

[lostboy87]

Thanks,there is a sticker on it but cannot find the lettering that you mentioned.Anything else i could look for?

[ChuckFickens]

Sata looks like

http://www.allcam.biz/catalog/images2/allcam/s ata_interface.jpg

IDE..

http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200609/su pertalentFIDE8GB_pins1.jpg

Make sure you have removed any little adaptors that may be on the drive interface that may make one look like the other.

[lostboy87]

It looks like it could be the IDE,it has all the pins and the black bit on the but then it has more pins after that.The first set of pins up to the black bit on the picture has edging round it like a scart lead has.Hope you understand,im useless at this sort of stuff!

[ChuckFickens]

I've just spotted you didn't actually say it was a 2.5inch, I just assumed when I read laptop:)

Sounds like it is a 3.5 IDE drive, so your only option with a lappy is to use it in a caddy but obviously you'd need one for a 3.5 inch drive

selection here again

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/026-2 924566-8926826?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-ke ywords=3.5+ide+caddy&x=0&y=0

[ChuckFickens]

if it looks like this it's 3.5 inch IDE

http://bixnet.net/images/HDD35-40-PinIDE.jpg

[lostboy87]

I wanted it as external anayway.So if i buy a caddy it will come with all the leads/wires whatever to conect it to the caddy?
Thanks for the help by the way.

[lostboy87]

Yep thats the one in the picture.Just realised its 80 gig!

[ChuckFickens]

Yep should do but check before you buy from anywhere.

32gb isn't really that big, but you could always upgrade the drive to a larger one at a later date, hard drive prices have really come down over last couple of years.

If you are planning to update the drive at a later date then probably worth getting a combo caddy that will take both IDE and SATA.

[lostboy87]

I have 350 gig on my laptop,i just wanted it so i could have removable storage so that i can put stuff on for my brother and he can take it home.Plus i didnt want it to go to waste with the dvd player.Its 80 gig i was mistaken.

[ChuckFickens]

Should be fine for that purpose 3.5 caddys will require mains power to work so can't be used portable (unless you happen to carry a generator about with you!)