Using old computer as extra data storage space

DEEKAYPEE8569

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
Somewhere in my collection of stuff I don't use or haven't used in a while, I have a desktop computer; tower/monitor etc.. I was thinking about using it; the tower CPU; with my laptop as external data storage. I can't recall the specs of the hard drive though. If I remember correctly, the desktop was using WINDOWS XP; my laptop has WINDOWS 7; but like I said, I was just thinking about the extra storage possibility. Feasible? Or not worth the time and effort?
 
h3mech

h3mech

Active Member
DEEKAYPEE8569 said:
Somewhere in my collection of stuff I don't use or haven't used in a while, I have a desktop computer; tower/monitor etc.. I was thinking about using it; the tower CPU; with my laptop as external data storage. I can't recall the specs of the hard drive though. If I remember correctly, the desktop was using WINDOWS XP; my laptop has WINDOWS 7; but like I said, I was just thinking about the extra storage possibility. Feasible? Or not worth the time and effort?[/QU

you can get a housing that fits the hard drive and it can be plugged into your USB port and you can use that for extra storage
Click to expand...
 
DEEKAYPEE8569

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
h3mech said:
DEEKAYPEE8569 said:
Somewhere in my collection of stuff I don't use or haven't used in a while, I have a desktop computer; tower/monitor etc.. I was thinking about using it; the tower CPU; with my laptop as external data storage. I can't recall the specs of the hard drive though. If I remember correctly, the desktop was using WINDOWS XP; my laptop has WINDOWS 7; but like I said, I was just thinking about the extra storage possibility. Feasible? Or not worth the time and effort?[/QU

you can get a housing that fits the hard drive and it can be plugged into your USB port and you can use that for extra storage
Click to expand...

From.....? PLEASE don't say Wal*Mart. I'm actually willing to take a chance on Best Buy.
What I'm hoping is possible, is taking the hard drive out of the old tower, finding and figuring out how to implement this housing you mention, and connecting it to my laptop via USB. I'm also hoping I can do this on the cheap. But.....if Wal*Mart is the first/only option.....well.....
Thanks for any and all help h3mech.
Click to expand...
 
DEEKAYPEE8569

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
hitchicken said:
Ain't worth the trouble. You can get an sizable gig SD/microSD or thumb drive for less than $10.
Click to expand...
I already have a 1TB external hard drive. Haven't filled it to capacity yet. I was just randomly thinking about re-purposing at least parts of my old desktop 'puter. Ah, well, until the need for extra storage is absolutely necessary, I'll putter along with what I already have.
Thanks for the input. :cheers:
 
jrt_ms1995

jrt_ms1995

Well-Known Member
DEEKAYPEE8569 said:
h3mech said:
From.....? PLEASE don't say Wal*Mart.
Click to expand...

www.Newegg.com

Definitely possible; worthwhile is another question. I've done this with 4, soon to be 5, old laptop drives. But also consider the size; your tower's hard drive is likely a 3-1/2" one, so the end result might be a bit bigger than you'd like to carry around with you. You may also need an enclosure with external power, as it's possible (I don't know) you might not get enough through the USB connection to power your old drive. And does the old drive have the capacity you want? Unless for some reason you'd like to be able to boot the old OS on the old drive, reformat it to get it's full capacity.

Browse through the enclosure's on Newegg, though, and you'll get some good ideas. If you've more computers at home, though, you might consider instead converting the old tower machine into Network Attached Storage with FreeNAS. Did this with an old tower of mine.
Click to expand...
 
Taz

Taz

Member
Why not just remove the old hard drive and put in into new computer? If you do this just delete the old OS and programs and much storage space.
 
Ken King

Ken King

A little rusty but not crusty
PREMO Member
Taz said:
Why not just remove the old hard drive and put in into new computer? If you do this just delete the old OS and programs and much storage space.
Click to expand...
Can you share with us how you get an old tower hard drive into a laptop without bulging the case? :tap:
 
GURPS

GURPS

INGSOC
PREMO Member
you could set it up on your home network as a 'file server' and every couple of weeks copy everything over to a share

or just purchase 2 external hard drives .... of the same size 2 /4 /6 terabyte

purchase Beyond Compare - $ 30 bucks


set up a back plan .... beyond compare will synchronize folders for you and give you an error log if there is a problem,

drive one you use daily / weekly to backup your laptop
drive two is 'cold storage' you fire up once a month ... and back up the other hard drive

or ...

you could also utilize photobucket / flicker to store pictures or
Google Drive
Amazon if you have Prime Account
Microsoft One Drive if you have a hotmail account


and store files online
 
Last edited:
GopherM

GopherM

Darwin was right
You would spend more money and effort to adapt the HD from your old desktop than what you would spend on one of the other solutions mentioned here (microSD, Flashdrive, etc). Plus when it was done you would have a big lump to manage instead of some small plug in. If you use a high capacity SD you can jut leave it plugged into the SD slot on your laptop and you will hardly know it is there.
 
DEEKAYPEE8569

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input folks. Sorry for wasting your time though.
PPPTTTHHH! I'll just dig the old desktop from the depths of my storage container and donate it to Habitat or give it to a 'puter whiz friend who might be able to use it.
 
huntr1

huntr1

.
DEEKAYPEE8569 said:
Thanks for the input folks. Sorry for wasting your time though.
PPPTTTHHH! I'll just dig the old desktop from the depths of my storage container and donate it to Habitat or give it to a 'puter whiz friend who might be able to use it.
Click to expand...

I bought 128 GB thumb drive for son for <$50.00.
 
DEEKAYPEE8569

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
huntr1 said:
I bought 128 GB thumb drive for son for <$50.00.
Click to expand...

I have a thumb drive; don't remember how big; but it, like a lot of my stuff, is in storage.....for five years.....and counting.
I really need to dig crap outta there and get rid of it. Just another item on the 'To-do' list. :shrug:
 
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