If you have a new computer, you can do two things with your old computer’s hard drive: erase the hard drive and dispose of it, or, use it as a second hard drive with an enclosure. I’ll show you how easy it is to set-up and use an enclosure and recommend a great enclosure.
Using an enclosure is an inexpensive way to add storage area to your computer and use your old hardware. You do not have to open your new computer, just plug it into a USB port. No messing around with the BIOS, the drive is found by the operating system automatically.
With an enclosure, you don’t have to worry about the data on your old hard drive if you are throwing the computer away, selling it, or giving it to someone. You also increase your storage capacity for the fraction of the cost of a new external drive.
Recommendation
I found an enclosure from StarTech.com that is easy-to-use and reasonably priced. For this demonstration, I use the 3.5” USB 2.0 SATA Aluminum HD Enclosure model SAT3510U2V.
StarTech InfoSafe 3.5 USB 2.0 SATA Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure
Set-Up and Use the SAT3510U2V Enclosure
See my review of the StarTech InfoSafe 3.5 USB 2.0 SATA Aluminum Hard Drive Enclosure here.
You will need a SATA drive. Pull the hard drive out of your old computer and check the connections. They should look like the ones in the image below. If you do not have a SATA drive, then you have an IDE drive. Enclosures for IDE drives are available and all the procedures are the same.
SATA Drive Connections
Items that come with the 3.5” USB 2.0 SATA Aluminum HD Enclosure are:
- Aluminum HD Enclosure
- Manual
- Screws
- Stand
- USB cable (A to B connectors)
- Power Adapter
SAT3510U2V Contents
Remove the rear panel and connect the SATA hard drive.
Connect Hard Drive to Panel
Secure the hard drive to the rear panel with the 2 screws supplied.
Secure the SATA HD
Insert the rear panel into the enclosure.
Insert the Rear Panel into the Enclosure
Secure the rear panel with the supplied screws. Two screws on the rear panel and two screws on the enclosure. See the images for locations.
Secure the Rear Panel with Screws
Secure Rear Panel with Screws on Front
Connect the power adapter and the USB cable. Once the USB cable is connected to your computer, turn the enclosure on. See image for location.
On/Off Switch
Your computer should find the new hard drive automatically.
Hard Drive Found
You now have a second or back up hard drive for a fraction of the cost of a new external hard drive and you recycled your old hard drive. Its a win-win.
