Using Laptop Hard Drive on Desktop Computer?

[Jingle]

I would like to have my desktop PC be able to recognize my laptop's hard drive. For reasons too complicated to get into here, it is too difficult to link the machines with Laplink or a network hookup. So, I would like to be able to put the laptop's hard drive in my desktop's removable drive tray and have the desktop recognize it.

The first question is whether the laptop drive is compatible with the desktop IDE interface; does it have comparable pins and is the supply voltage the same?

If they are compatible, then I need an adaptor from the desktop's IDE cable to the laptop's tiny "Centronics-like" connector. I have purchased 2 different adaptors from different suppliers (via E-Mail) that claimed to adapt 2.5 inch drives to IDE cables. When I received them, the 2.5 inch drive side of the adaptor was for something unrelated to my laptop hard drive. The laptop is a Compaq, so maybe they have a proprietary connector. In any event, does anyone know of a source for the part to make the connection?

Thanks for any leads,

Jingles


[This message has been edited by Jingle (edited 01-24-2000).]

[ktwebb]

Compaq, Dell, Toshiba. They all buy their hard drives from the major vendors. See who makes your laptop drive and visit their website to get an email address or phone number to call. They would be the first ones to help, if they choose to help you. I have never heard of an adapter for this purpose but that doesnt mean anything. It may exist.

[Axel]

Do a search on this board for your answer as I remember just such a thread several months ago, but don't recall all the details.

I remember reading that it is quite possible to do, but you may need an adapter to put your drive on the IDE cable and , I believe, not all of the pins on the laptop connection are used ( which typically drives most of us techies nuts... WHAT - not use ALL the PINS http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif)

It's going to be a pain reconfiguring the desktop each time you want to leech the laptop drive onto the desktop.

You might be better served getting a NIC for both the desktop and the laptop and buying a cross-connect cable. Then you have network transfer rates. You could share the laptop folders you store the data in.

Faster than laplink or modem peer connections and a lot less trouble than getting in and out of the hardware each time.

If you still plan to move the laptop hard drive often, I'd plan on getting a supply of IDE replacement cables and possibly a spare laptop hard drive, as you risk hardware damage each time you swap stuff out.

[ktwebb]

Axel is right on all counts. Repeatedly removing a Hard drive, ESPECIALLY a delicate laptop drive is not recommended. You will eventually hose it, be it ESD or other form of damage. If money is an issue concern regarding networking the two devices, the laplink idea would not be a terrible choice. Slow and tedious but you could transfer files. Frankly, you could find a couple of NIC's for relatively little money. The laptop will be the problem. Desktop NIC's run as cheap as ten bucks. You can find a PCMCIA NIC for under 75 bucks. Even though it might be expensive to you, in the long run, it is the better choice.

[Target]

Actually, YES....there are several adapters that allow you to place a laptop hard-disk into a regular desktop computer.

The best one I have found was at CDW. Its called a 2.5" Hard Disk Drive Installation kit, and the model/part number is 01-4068-C

Cost was like $15 US and it works great.

[BC]

Yes but that makes a hard drive to be external for the LT. You would have slow transfers to that HD and you would also want to keep the internal one in it. Because I don't think that you would be able to boot to the external HDD. The "centron." like connector you are refering to is the outside housing. If you remove that you will get to the Hdd. There you will find the real pins.

[Jingle]

SUCCESS!!! I am writing this note with my computer running a 10 GB IBM Deskstar AND a 10 GB IBM Travelstar (from my laptop). Those of you who insisted that the Compaq laptop had an industry-standard hard drive inside the metal case were absolutely correct. Once I adjusted my head to think that way, I screwed up my nerve and UN-screwed the cover (actually, I was quite concerned that I might actually be opening up, e.g. destroying, the hard drive!).

Inside the can was in fact an IBM DCXA-210000 10 GB Travelstar. It was attached to a flexible printed circuit/ribbon cable about 1.5 inch long. The 2.5 inch drive adapter I had purchased from Dalco was a perfect fit. A quick trip to the IBM website gave me the jumper settings. I set it to “slave” and dropped it into one of my removable drive trays, loaded and locked it, and booted the computer.

Works just like any second other hard drive. I am finally able to transfer files and arrange my directories between the two drives (in effect, the two computers) at disk drive transfer rates … no sneaker net with floppies.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Jingles


[This message has been edited by Jingle (edited 01-27-2000).]