Can I use my external HD as internal?

[phen0m]

Can I do that?
I have a 500GB Iomega external HD and I want to use it as an internal HD.

[nevermind1534]

External hard drives are often laptop/notebook drives in a USB enclosure. If you take it out, you will get the drive. If it is an IDE notebook drive, you will need to get an adaptor for it to plug it into the desktop IDE plug. If it is SATA, you can just plug it right in. You would also have to get an adaptor that will give you a full size thing to put in the case.

[phen0m]

Ohh ok.
What kind of adaptor would I need to get a full size thing to fit in the case?

[nevermind1534]

If it's IDE, you will get something like this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329310&Sku=M501-1240&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=TBBTkwCjCVyBpAgf%20mwzygtCjCVRqCjCVRq) to plug it in, and for ti to fit, you will get something like the rails in this kit (http://www.xpcgear.com/driveadapter.html). If it's IDE, just buy that kit, unless you find something cheaper.

[phen0m]

Thank you :]

[phen0m]

I removed the enclosure and it looks like I can just take the rest off and there will be my internal HD. I googled its numbers and I am almost %100 sure that its a desktop internal HD.

Its the "SeaGate barracuda 7200.11 500GB"
Heres a pic.

http://i36.tinypic.com/65bn28.jpg

[phen0m]

...bump....?

[Indybird]

That appears to be a 3.5" Desktop Hard Drive. You'll be able to connect it using a plain SATA cable or IDE cable (depending on what the drive uses); you won't need any adapters.

-Indybird

[phen0m]

Thank you indybird.
Its SATA, I already figured that out :P
But, does the SATA cable come with my mobo or psu, or does it usually come with internal HD's?-In which case I would have to buy a SATA cable since mine isn't internal.

[Bopher]

Some motherboards come with a basic cable for SATA. If not you'll have to pick one up somewhere. I'm assuming you have SATA power on your PSU so once you have that your set.

[phen0m]

I haven't ordered my mobo yet. Or PSU for that matter :P

[nevermind1534]

All of the retail motherboards that I've seen on newegg come with all of the cables that you'll need. You will also get the I/O shield, and will probably even get power plug adapters.

[chaksq]

Typically most External HDs are a standard 3.5" IDE or SATA (mostly SATA now) internal HD with an adaptor for power and to connect to USB, Firewire, or eSATA and packaged into a protective enclosure. Smaller externals use 2.5" laptop HDs which if IDE have a different connector than normal IDE (but will work in a desktop with an adapter).

Most mainboards come with a few cables to get you started. The latest one I bought came with 4 SATA cables, an IDE, and a floppy cable and some other stuff. If you have not ordered the PSU yet just make sure you order one with the SATA power connectors, you can adapt 4-pin to SATA but I dislike that personally.

[phen0m]

Ok.
Thanks for everybody's help.

I already did everything just to see if I could, and everything worked out perfectly.
I mean, I don't have my other parts yet to see if it would recognize it but, I got everything off fine.

[phen0m]

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=208711

[Drum Thumper]

If you haven't bought a SATA cable yet, PM me your address. I've got a few that I'm will to part with--came in a modder's grab bag from da boss (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/member.php?u=3).

[phen0m]

I think my mobo or psu will come with it and I haven't ordered them yet. If not, thanks :]