How long does a hard drive last outside of the comp in the original packaging?

[bigvic47]

Hi, i am seeming to have trouble installing my new hard drive cause i cant seem to attach it anywhere in my Compaq 5bw131. I do have an open bay, but becuase of my old hard drive i cant seem to figure out waht to do and compaq wont tell me how, with out paying. This has been like this since Chrismas and i also wanna no if the hard drive is still anygood. Thank you and i am open to any answers.

[AllGamer]

Don't worry HDD can last way over 100+ years maybe more in its original packaging, open or not, as long as it's not under the sun, or in humid places

Now, re-installing the HDD in your Compaq

all you need is to see if you have 2 IDE ports available

you might have used up both already 1 for the CD and 1 for the HDD

or probably only 1 port in use, and 1 port free

if you do have 1 HDD and CD in 1 wire

then just get an extra IDE wire so you can install your new HDD

if you have a Digital Camera, send us some picture of the opend case

:t

[bigvic47]

I do have an open port, but i do not have a bracket to secure the hd firmly to the case. I do have a bracket securing the old hd, with the os. Can i leave the hd unsecured?

[Sterling_Aug]

As long as you are not lugging the desktop around every day with the drives running, it is safe to only secure the drive with two screws. I have even left a drive hanging in the case by the IDE ribbon and the power cord with no problems over many months.

[BipolarBill]

If you have an open 5.25" bay, you can moount the drive with these:

http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/ST-BRACKET.htm