Author Topic: Laptop hard disk into desktop?  (Read 2415 times)

Offline Clannad_92

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Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« on: November 29, 2011, 07:19:02 AM »
heyho...

i have question about the title...
can laptop hd can be used as desktop hd?

ive search the net but there is no luck, some says that its ok (no problem) and others say no (laptop hd 5v, desktop provide 12v, will fry it)...

so, im hoping that someone here can answer me (based on experience/ knowledge)
and for your information, i will use laptop 500gb as my desktop hd...seeding non-stop (no- turn off power)...

Offline itemno23886

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2011, 07:20:27 AM »
SATA or parallel?

SATA is ok, parallel may need an adaptor

also, desktops provide a 5v connection for drives
« Last Edit: November 29, 2011, 07:23:19 AM by itemno23886 »

Offline Clannad_92

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2011, 07:27:54 AM »
SATA or parallel?

SATA is ok, parallel may need an adaptor

also, desktops provide a 5v connection for drives

ahhh, sorry...

its SATA...
so it wont fry my laptop hd?
and fyi, i repeat again, i will be using laptop hd to seed non-stop...will it be okay?

Offline itemno23886

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2011, 07:33:03 AM »
should be perfectly alright, only thing I have to rocommend is because you're putting it in a desktop, maybe get a 3.5" to 2.5" drive bay converter, like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811990004

Offline Clannad_92

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2011, 07:39:24 AM »
well, thanks...
but i think its best to wait for others opinion...so i will wait...

Offline Freedom Kira

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2011, 07:56:57 AM »
It's fine, seriously. The connectors are exactly the same.

There's a reason why SSDs are made 2.5" and often include a 2.5" to 3.5" holder - to make them more universal, i.e. so they can be used in both desktops and laptops, whatever you want.

Offline Clannad_92

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2011, 08:19:12 AM »
It's fine, seriously. The connectors are exactly the same.

There's a reason why SSDs are made 2.5" and often include a 2.5" to 3.5" holder - to make them more universal, i.e. so they can be used in both desktops and laptops, whatever you want.
really, im the type really picky in reasons...
fyi, im over-worried because
Quote
but hooking up 12V power to something that's designed for 5V is NOT a good idea.
and
Quote
Is the 2.5" SATA disk able to auto-select just 5V and not be fried by the 12V?

Offline itemno23886

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2011, 08:43:12 AM »
SATA is a standard. Here's a pinout of all SATA if you like:



As with all computer parts, various parts may require more than one voltage. Unless it's a drive designed to run off JUST 12V, it won't have continuity in those pins, they won't actually connect to the drive. Components on the board should run on 12V while the motor is being powered by 5V. Both voltages should be required to run the drive.

Molex was the same way:


If you used a parallel laptop drive with a converter, the 12V portion would be ignored and you'd get a connector for this


EDIT: Adding in that hard drive docks take laptop and desktop drives, and can hot-swap. Here's mine that I use both drives on frequently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182221
« Last Edit: November 29, 2011, 08:48:44 AM by itemno23886 »

Offline rostheferret

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2011, 09:12:39 AM »
should be perfectly alright, only thing I have to rocommend is because you're putting it in a desktop, maybe get a 3.5" to 2.5" drive bay converter, like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811990004

This. Except without the typo :P

Offline Ultra_Magnus

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2011, 05:02:08 PM »
As others have said, just get a bay adapter and it will work fine.

Offline TorturdChaos

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2011, 06:02:09 PM »
Works just fine. I have HDD to USB adapter all in one cable and its the exact same hook up for SATA regardless of 3.5" HDD or 2.5" HDD.  I have used the adapter on both with out any issues.

Just remember,  before you criticize someone, walk a mile in there shoes.  That way you are a mile away and have their shoes. :P

Offline AnimeJanai

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2011, 02:29:37 PM »
SATA is an interface standard, and not exclusively a bus-standard so your 2.5 hard drive is okay in a 3.5 inch physical adaptor.   Fry's electronics sells those adaptors that you can slide into 3.5 inch SATA drive bays.

The idea of using a laptop drive as your main desktop drive can work with *nix but with windows 7, the OEM versions of the operating system for your laptop may have problems if you swap the drives back and forth, particularly if you update on one system but use it in another.   My windows O/S for all my Dell laptops fails to work in a desktop since they must have some sort of code that checks if the drive is running in a different hardware system.

Offline Clannad_92

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Re: Laptop hard disk into desktop?
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2011, 05:28:26 PM »
okay, that settles it...
i can conclude that it is safe to use laptop hd as desktop hd...
and, thanks everyone for sharing your opinion... ;D