The most important part of a computer is probably the disk that contains all the saved data and personal files. Since the space for files is never enough today, it is worthwhile, in the case of hard disks in old PCs no longer used or replaced and renewed disks, perhaps mounting much faster SSD units, to transform the old drive into a portable USB disk .
Having an extra portable disk is really convenient to be able to transfer data from one PC to another, to connect it to a TV or multimedia console and watch saved movies, to save important files in a backup copy and so on.
What is important to know is that every internal hard disk of a computer, if it is intact, can buy new value and be easily transformed into an external one only by buying the right adapter for a few Euros.
This system also becomes a convenient way to pull out the data saved in a broken PC, which no longer turns on, without having to go to a technician.
READ ALSO: How to format USB sticks and hard drives
Prerequisites
The hard drive you want to convert to an external hard drive or portable USB drive may also be old, but it must work well .
If you go to use a disk that is about to break permanently or that has corrupt sectors, you run the risk of losing all the data that is saved inside it.
To check if a disk works well there are health check programs for a hard disk such as Crystal Disk, which analyzes all sectors and provides a precise indicator on the status and performance of the drive.
An important factor to check is the size of the hard disk .
The hard drives are available in two sizes: mechanical hard drives and SSDs intended for desktop PCs have a 3.5 "size, more or less as big as a paperback book.
This type of disk requires an external power source, that is, it requires connected to the power supply.
SSDs and hard drives for portable laptops are 2.5 "large, smaller, more or less like a smartphone.
Most 2.5 "disks also have the advantage of not requiring external power and being usable only with the USB cable connected to the computer.
The 2, 5 "disks have, therefore, a higher price (with the same capacity and space) than the larger ones.
The data transmission speed of the disk is rather irrelevant since the hard disk will then have to be connected to the PC via USB cable.
Of course, file transfer using a USB 3.0 connection will be faster, but this is quite negligible.
Since fast drives generate more heat, ideally it would perhaps be better to convert a slower hard drive to external disk, even if we are talking about subtleties.
Buy the case that turns it into an external drive
Although not essential for external use of a hard disk, the case is useful not only aesthetically, but also to protect the hardware from shocks and dust and to create the connection with the USB cable and power supply.
The case must be compatible with the disk size, 2.5 "or 3.5".
The hard disk must therefore be housed in the space of the housing and connected so that its connection matches the socket which will then be connected to the PC via USB cable.
Usually external hard drives have a USB type B connector or Mini USB (see here the types of USB cables available).
The enclosures can be covered in plastic or metal.
If the hard disk does not have frequent and short-term use, the material is not very important, but if you want to leave it attached to a computer all day, perhaps to make automatic daily backups, then a metal case is better, which also works as a heat sink (heat is always a big enemy of all electronic devices).
Instead, I think it is useless to spend money on a rubber or shockproof case (if more expensive than normal ones) since a hard disk is certainly not a mobile phone and there should be no major risk of falling to the ground.
You can buy an external hard drive case starting from 10 Euros on Amazon
Connect a disk to the PC via USB with adapter or docking station
If the intention was not precisely to transform a hard disk into an external hard disk, but rather to have available a housing or an adapter cable that can be used, when needed, with each disk understood by the hands, you can buy a deck or a simple special cable easy to attach and detach.
The docking station is a toaster-like appliance, which connects via USB cable to the computer, where you just have to insert the disk (or even more than one simultaneously) to make it work and then clone it or transfer data.
The adapter cable is instead of SATA-USB type (like one of these from 13 Euro), which also works without any case.
READ ALSO: How to connect disks to the PC via USB: SATA adapters, cases and docking stations
