1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

turn external dvd burner into external harddrive

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by tyknappy, Aug 12, 2007.

  1. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I have an external dvd burner (Sony, model#DRX-820U) that I dont use anymore so I decided I wanted to take the dvd burner out of it and put in a harddrive (Seagate 40GB model#ST340810A), is this possible to do?
     
    tyknappy, Aug 12, 2007
    #1
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,196
    Likes Received:
    145
    Trophy Points:
    143
    the seagate drive is 3.5" but the burner is 5.25" so front end will have a gap around face of drive. also if external case is not set up to hold a 3.5" drive then how are you going to mount the drive?
     
    ddp, Aug 12, 2007
    #2
  3. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Im not worried about that right now. I just want to know if when I have the hard drive hooked up, if the computer will recognize it(I am using windows vista home premium), and if I need to intall any drivers, and if I do, where would I get them?
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2007
    tyknappy, Aug 12, 2007
    #3
  4. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    It might work, as long as you buy an IDE hard drive, but I couldn't say for certain.
     
    sammorris, Aug 13, 2007
    #4
  5. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Ok, im going to try it, ill keep you posted on what happens
     
    tyknappy, Aug 13, 2007
    #5
  6. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I connected the hard drive to my computer and windows recognized it, but it wasnt able to install it, any suggestions on what to do?
     
    tyknappy, Aug 13, 2007
    #6
  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    Wasn't able to install it?
     
    sammorris, Aug 13, 2007
    #7
  8. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Sorry, it said that it was unable to install device driver software, my computer does recognize it as a USB Mass Storage Device in Device Manager
     
    tyknappy, Aug 13, 2007
    #8
  9. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    It may be that the inbuilt driver specifically works with DVD drives, in which case you'll need to buy your own enclosure for the hard disk. They're not expensive.
     
    sammorris, Aug 13, 2007
    #9
  10. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I was hopeing I wouldnt have to buy one, but I guess I will have to, thanks for tryin to help out tho
     
    tyknappy, Aug 13, 2007
    #10
  11. socom1000

    socom1000 Guest

    And whats wrong with the Dard Drive why do you want to switch it if it's not broke there realy isent no point of doing it.
     
    socom1000, Aug 13, 2007
    #11
  12. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    Well he's not changing hard drive, he's swapping a DVD drive with a hard drive.
     
    sammorris, Aug 13, 2007
    #12
  13. scorpNZ

    scorpNZ Active member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    4,269
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Just fit the hdd internally
     
    scorpNZ, Aug 13, 2007
    #13
  14. tyknappy

    tyknappy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I wanted to use it with my laptop, there's nothing wrong with the dvd drive, I just didnt need it
     
    tyknappy, Aug 13, 2007
    #14
  15. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    sammorris, Aug 13, 2007
    #15

Share This Page