Hard drive question

[kschen]

I just bought a USB 2.5 SATA HD Enclosure that supports up to 500GB and I would like to know if there is a way to use it to access the files on my 640GB HD from my dead laptop.

[Mark77]

If you can take it apart, and access its SATA connector, doing so shouldn't be a problem. The 500gb "limit" likely was just the largest drive built in the 2.5" form factor at the time of the device's production. I haven't heard of a SATA to USB bridge chip that has a 500gb limitation. Many/most of the better/newer ones are fully pass-through, meaning that you can even read the SMART data through the USB.

[audit13]

The 500 GB limit is probably due to the fact that all sata 2.5" drives below 500 GB are 9.5 mm in height. Drives in excess of 500 GB come in 9.5 mm and 12.5 mm.

[kschen]

I was worrying if I try to use the hd with the enclosure, the hd may be damaged. Thank you both. The hd is working fine with the enclosure.