Taking an external HDD out of the case to connect to a mobo sata?

[euphuistical]

So I am building a new rig, should be done tomorrow. I have this external HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136502&cm_re=western_digital_2tb-_-22-136-502-_-Product

It is only USB 2 and Firewire 2, and I have probably at least 700gigs I want to transfer over to my new rig. Could I take it out and mount it in my new rig temporarily just to get faster transfer speeds? Could I put it in there permanently (just wondering if that is possible).

It is currently formatted in to two partitions, 1 HFS (I had an iMac and still have a MGP) and one NTFS for my windows partition. I would really love to be able to connect it via a SATA cable and reduce the transfer time from 8 hours down to 30minutes. Is this possible at all? Any mods I have to make? I am scared to do anything to it now since I am shipping off my iMac tomorrow and won't have any other backup of my data except that. Would the second partition cause a problem? If I can keep the windows partition and delete the mac one that is fine, theres nothing really important on the mac partition.

So, is it possible? Anything I need to know to ensure safety of my data? If there is any real risk at all I don't want to take it, I have put too much work in to my music/movies/TV shows to lose them. I also have all the programs I tend to load on a fresh install on there like winrar, FRAPS, AVG (Search and Destroy), ISO Pro and just general stuff like that.

 

[Jonmor68]

It's possible, all you need is a sata external eSATA & USB case to mount it in.
Something like this one at Newegg should you, it comes with all the hardware you need, like cable and eSATA bracket.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817173042

You may be able to get a clue how to dismantle your current one from the WD My Book instructions, they could be similar.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/277376-personal-experiences-mini-review-western-digital-my-book-essential-2-0-a.html

 

[euphuistical]

Shouldn't I just be able to remove it from its case and install it in one of my hotswapable (or a normal drive, doesn't matter I suppose) drives and then transfer it that way? I know a case would work but I don't have one on hand and by the time it arrives I would have had the time to transfer over everything anyway.

I will definitely be investing in an external HDD case with USB 3 and eSATA at somepoint though.

 

[MRFS]

> I would really love to be able to connect it via a SATA cable and reduce the transfer time from 8 hours down to 30minutes.


But, the problems you may create for yourself may
take a lot more than 8 hours to repair.

My advice: start copying files before going to bed,
using a good freeware program like Acronis TrueImage
Western Digital Edition:

http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119&wdc_lang=en


The job will be done when you wake up, and
you won't have risked doing any damage
to a perfectly good external HDD


KISS: Kee It Simple Sammy!


MRFS

 

[Jonmor68]

Shouldn't I just be able to remove it from its case and install it in one of my hotswapable (or a normal drive, doesn't matter I suppose) drives and then transfer it that way? I know a case would work but I don't have one on hand and by the time it arrives I would have had the time to transfer over everything anyway.

I will definitely be investing in an external HDD case with USB 3 and eSATA at somepoint though.

I took it that you wanted the faster transfer permamantly, not just for a one of job.

 

[euphuistical]

Best answer selected by euphuistical.