BleepingComputer.com: Installing a 3.5'' internal drive in a 3.5'' external slot

Alright, I finally got a HD.

The problem is that the screw holes don't seem to match up. I believe one of the holes matches up, but there's this metal thing blocking it. I'll try to screw it in later, but that leaves one screw hole without a screw.

I put the HD in a floppy drive. I examined the screw holes for the pre-existing HD and there is no slot that matches its holes on the case.

Any advice on what I should do? Try to screw in the one hole?

I can take a picture of the situation if anyone wants.

Strictly speaking it's recommended that you secure the drive with at least 4 screws (one near each corner) or more. But... honestly, I've mounted drives with as few as one screw before and never had any problems. Just so long as the one screw isn't supporting the whole weight of the drive (e.g. the drive is resting on the bottom of the drive bay) and the drive doesn't move then you ought to be ok. Less than ideal, but ok.

This post has been edited by Andrew: 27 May 2011 - 08:53 PM

the 4 screw holes in hard drive and hard drive slots/bays are probably the most universal thing with computer ,it should fit ,please post a clear picture .
.

This post has been edited by caperjac: 28 May 2011 - 04:57 AM

Here are the images.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7169/p1020697rk.jpg
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2760/p1020698cv.jpg

These are close-ups of the screw slot.

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/8353/p1020700n.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3931/p1020701l.jpg

The new HD is above the blank space that is above the bottom HD.

This post has been edited by ixcuincle: 28 May 2011 - 09:00 AM

That drive cage looks distinctly like an older Dell design If that's the case, then you may end up having to get a little creative to mount the drive securely. Either that or find out if Dell sells a 5.25-inch to 3.5-inch drive bay mounting kit (something like this but you probably want to look for one intended for your model.)

All this is of course is assuming that it is a Dell case we're looking at.

Andrew, on 28 May 2011 - 11:55 AM, said:

that might be a good option if the tower has a free 5.25 bay,also if you look close at the first pic,it says Compaq on it

This post has been edited by caperjac: 28 May 2011 - 12:57 PM

floppy drive slot will not work as there is nothing to hold the drive flat or from hitting the bottom drive ,

This post has been edited by caperjac: 28 May 2011 - 01:16 PM

caperjac, on 28 May 2011 - 12:55 PM, said:

Even worse!

Andrew, on 28 May 2011 - 01:46 PM, said:

lol. its not that bad .just requires the right screw 's and the right slot,when i have do these type and if i don't have enough screws, i put one on each side,one in the front one in the back

This post has been edited by caperjac: 28 May 2011 - 04:17 PM

caperjac, on 28 May 2011 - 01:04 PM, said:

The drive sits safely on a metal platform, it stands up fine. I screwed in the screw hole seen in the last image today, so one screw is on the HD.

Yeah, that Compaq case is pretty bad, I've thought of upgrading it to a better one. Last time I buy a pre-built computer.

Another thing, there's the other side of the HD case, which I assume has the other holes. Unfortunately I can't seem to reach those. Any suggestions?

This post has been edited by ixcuincle: 28 May 2011 - 06:08 PM

ixcuincle, on 28 May 2011 - 06:02 PM, said:

going on memory only ,but i think you just put the screws into the hdd and slide into the bay until it clicks ,and to release it you bull back the green clip shown in you pic's, clips are only on the one side

This post has been edited by caperjac: 29 May 2011 - 05:53 AM