Connecting internal 5.25 drive via usb for backup

[sjoy]

Hi,

Need to connect old internal 5.25" sata hdd to new (stupid, tiny) desktop system via usb2.

Want to use drive for daily backups, so setup will be more-or-less permanent.

I find many connector kits and enclosures for this. Seems enclosure with fan would be best, but all seem to be for 3.5" hdds or 5.25" optical (not 5.25 hdd).

Can I use one of these for the 5.25 drive? Will the fan cool it well enough? Would cables, only, be just fine?

Thanks for any opinions, suggestions.

 

[JoeAdamsIV]

What you need is an external HDD enclosure.

 

[sjoy]

Thanks. Even though specs say enclosures are for 3.5" HDDs or 5.25" opticals (not 5.25 HDDs? Is a fan important?

 

[icy dock]

Hey Sjoy,

I'm not completely sure by what you mean, but I believe that you are referring to the the dimensions of the HDD. So a 5.25" will NOT fit into a external or internal 3.5" HDD or 5.25" opticals. Basically, the 5.25" are very old form factors, so you may need to search a little more extensively to find the correct enclosure to purchase.

There's some information on Wiki if you want as a reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive#Obsolete_hard_disk_form_factors

Hope this helps you with your question!!

 

[sjoy]

Thanks Icy Dock. Didn't read the wiki article closely enough, I guess. Finally found page here explaining that what I (and others) have always called a "5.25 inch" drive is actually 3.5". Ah, well. Problem solved.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/243841-32-hard-disk-enclosure

Regards

 

[sjoy]

Best answer selected by sjoy.