How to remove Hard drive from its USB casing

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

Guys.. I have Seagate Free agent Goflex USB 2.0 hard drive 1 TB which is in working condition. However due to the loose/bad USB cable it loses connection with the PC. I was wondering if it's possible to remove Hard drive from the present casing and put it in another enclosure which has a dedicated cable. Something like this.. https://www.amazon.in/ORICO-2577U3-BK-Enclosure-Capacity-Business/dp/B07222HQKP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=7CB9APBP3NPS&dchild=1&keywords=hard+drive+case+usb+3.0&qid=1611294775&sprefix=hard+drive+case,aps,366&sr=8-3

Further reference to my hard drive.. https://www.flipkart.com/seagate-fr...-usb-2-0-500-gb-hard-drive/p/itmczcrym85pdps6

 

[Synth-Pop]

see if this works

or find some similar video tutorial on ytube

 

[ch@ts]

You can do it, but if the HDD is encrypted, once you remove it from it's enclosure you will no longer be able to access it's data. It'll work fine after you format it.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

On doing some research, I found this.. https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08P7H8J9T/?coliid=I2FCXRJA4Z4DFW&colid=2TJMSKYCCJ7JR&psc=0
Will this adapter work with my drive. I mean I can detach the existing adapter. Seagate has given this option to change adapater incase if user wants to migrate to UBS 3.0 My only concern is the space and how well would it fit in the casing since this one is not from Seagate.
@ch@ts no, the hard drive is not encrypted. I mean I can still access all the data in the drive.

 

[vishalrao]

No he meant hard drive might be encrypted at hardware firmware level not by the user... take a backup of your data before attempting anything

 

[Synth-Pop]

On doing some research, I found this.. https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08P7H8J9T/?coliid=I2FCXRJA4Z4DFW&colid=2TJMSKYCCJ7JR&psc=0
Will this adapter work with my drive. I mean I can detach the existing adapter. Seagate has given this option to change adapater incase if user wants to migrate to UBS 3.0 My only concern is the space and how well would it fit in the casing since this one is not from Seagate.
@ch@ts no, the hard drive is not encrypted. I mean I can still access all the data in the drive.

yes this thing is fine & will surely work. actually once you remove hdd from seagate original case what you'll get is just a SATA drive. as this drive is 2.5" form factor you won't need any external power supply. it will be powered over USB. you can also use it as a internal drive if you like. there's no question how it will fit as its not a case it's just an adapter.

you can also look for some popular brands like quantumzero though it's a bit costly
https://www.qzonline.in/qz-usb-3-to-sata-adapter-qz-ad01.html
or
transcend 2.5" case usb 3.0 https://www.amazon.in/Transcend-2-5...11309506&sprefix=transcend+2.5,aps,324&sr=8-3

These are all standard size cases meant for 2.5" drive so no need to worry, it will surely fit and 2.5" sata drive or ssd.

can also buy something like this https://www.qzonline.in/qz-usb-3-enclosure-case-for-hard-drive-disk-hdd-ssd-hd01.html
here you can also use 3.5" internal Sata HDD using external power adapter provided with this 2.5/3.5" hdd case.

usb 3 case will be considered an upgrade over seagate original USB 2.0.

I don't think there's any kind of hardware level encryption but still its better to take a backup if you've got some precious data.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

After seeing this adapter, I have dropped the idea of removing hdd from the casing and instead will just remove the existing adapter and replace with the new one. From what I see, there should not be any problem.
Let's see, I should get it today.. will update my results.
Only gripe is, if it doesn't work, there is no return policy, only replacement

Update: So it won't fit with the existing case so will have to remove the drive from the case..
@Nitendra Singh are there any plain cases available where I can Use the new adapter with the plain case. I would not like to keep hdd open due to fear of getting spoiled.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

So I have practically tried all the 2.5 inch hdd cases available from Orico.. None of them would fit despite being in-line with the dimensions. It seems that the height of the drive(the thickness of the top protection mechanism) is a factor which won't allow the external drive enclosure to close properly. Are there any options for me now?
Since none of the 2.5" would fit, I was thinking of getting a 3.5" one but I have concerns regarding drive being in place as it would not fit snugly.
Special thanks to Seagate for its foresightedness that in case your drive adapter goes bad and you want to put drives in another enclosure... you are not allowed to do so. The only option is forget the data and get a new drive!!!

 

[Synth-Pop]

Generally 2.5" drives comes in different thickness like 7mm, 9mm, 12.5mm.
So you need to measure the thickness either using ruler or vernier calipers, just get an idea for approx thickness and look for some cases accordingly.
There's is no point in using 300-400 Rs. sata to usb converter cable and additionally buying a 2.5" carry case worth 200-300rs.
There are products available for drive thickness 12.5mm to 15mm like this one QuantumZERO QZ-HD03 & it's out of stock everywhere.
or like this https://www.amazon.in/External-2-5-inch-SATA-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B079ZSHY8S
or this https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32822396569.html
availability is an issue but you can try searching.
If you just want to retrieve your data, use that cable converter you've mentioned in above post.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

I still don't get this... When I measure the thickness from top to bottom of the drive it shows 1.5 cm. But when I put it in tne case, the top enclosure just won't fit.

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Tried all of the above. It seems none exists for thickness atleast 1.5 cms. The second one was atleast close but even that didn't work out.

Since the drive is now working (earlier I thought the drive was dead, turned out the adapter was causing issues), I can use it for regular use. But with no case available, have no option but to use it with the new adapter.

 

[Synth-Pop]

1.5 cm = 15mm and 10$ cases available for 15mm at aliexpress or maybe at some Indian websites.
but as you mentioned it's 1.5cm now I am a bit doubtful, so better option is to use adapter.

 

[Silent47Assassin]

I have been using a couple of drives after taking them out of their original enclosure for a few years now via a sata>usb adapter without any cover. As long as you don't try to move them when they are being used, I don't think you'll face any issues. When powered off, the heads are in parked position and the drive can be safely carried around.

 

[ankushv]

Using segate backup plus hub 4tb ( 2 drives ) and segate backup plus 4tb (1 drive ) . Both removed from casing and put in pc as internal drives . No problems .
I have put other spare drives in the above casings .
The drives I've put into the segate casings too work fine .
Slight trivia ... When you replace the original drive in the casing with a spare drive ... The spare drive works just fine but the led activity light in the casing stops working .
Also if you put the orignal drive back in the original case the led light 0f the case works just fine again.
Cheers !

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

Since none of the cases which I ordered online would fit, I went for USB to data cable. But leaving it inside the pouch would rattle its head so I would be using a bubble foam to prevent it from moving within the case in case the drive is mobile.
Seriously disappointed with Seagate. It measured thickness is 1.4cm and all enclosures with thickness greater or equal to 1.5cm won't fit my drive.

 

[ibose]

I have been shucking the thicker Seagate 4 TB and 5 TB drives for quite some time now and have the shells lying around. Not sure if your disk would fit into one of these but PM me if you want me to check. Pity that the cheaper WD portable ones are not usable like this.

 

[Kaleen Bhaiya]

Thanks ibose.. but then there would be issue of drive being fixed at one place when fitted in 3.5" case. That was the reason I dropped getting Orico 3.5" from Amazon. Read it that drives are not stable, need some jugaad.