Has anyone ever opened up a External Hard Drive and installed it as a Internal Drive? I ASK because my computer (HP s3700f) dosen't have the space for a second hard drive and I'l like to replace the 320 Gig with a 1.5 Tb I have.

Thanks
JohnYes...it will work.

But to do it properly even if there isn't enough space would be to create a Clone image of your drive...and then clone it to the new one.
Course you'll need to borrow another external SINCE yours is going in the PC.I lost you. Why would I have to borrow an external? Maybe I worded my post wrong. The 320 Gig HD in my computer now would be replaced by the 1.5 TB. Physically, 2 HD's won't fit in my computer cause it's a slimline. I'm just trying to avoid buying a HD right now. I don't care about reinstalling the OS and programs.

JohnYour PC model is listed as having both SATA and IDE ports on its motherboard so whatever disk you find inside the external case should work. One problem may be that the external case might be sealed (glued) or use special screws. I have a Seagate which is glued. If it is glued you might have to break the case. If you then found that you can't use it in your PC you would have to buy another (empty) enclosure, but these are not very expensive. There may be photo or video guides on the web showing how to open your external drive model, but you have not said its make or model. Just one example of many: a YouTube video showing how to open a Seagate 1.5 TB Free Agent drive here (using a knife). Be aware that you will void your external drive warranty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73jHstTFGFo

A still I captured:




Quote from: Jahness on December 21, 2011, 09:37:20 AM

Has anyone ever opened up a External Hard Drive and installed it as a Internal Drive? I ask because my computer (HP s3700f) dosen't have the space for a second hard drive and I'l like to replace the 320 Gig with a 1.5 Tb I have.

Thanks
John

I thought the hard drive would be smaller than normal size hard drive. Is your external HD the same dimensions as the HD in the slimline? Just asking? Something to consider.

HP Pavilion Slimline s3700f

Expansion Bays 1 (total) / 0 (free) x Front accessible - 5.25",
1 (total) / 0 (free) x Internal - 3.5", <------------------------ the single hard drive bay
1 (total) / 1 (free) x Pocket MEDIA Drive bay

I guess I was concerned that the HD in a external case would be different.