My laptop is crashing and I suspect my HDD, can I test it in a 3.5" USB enclosure (assuming it fits), or is that a bad idea. I don't have a desktop PC, and the BSOD logs fail to save, so if you have another suggestion how to determine whether the HDD is the cause, that would do as well.
31 Answer
Can I temporarily put a 2½ HDD into a 3½ USB enclosure?
Assuming it is SAS or SATA: Yes you can (and it will work).
You probabably cannot screw it into place, but for emergency recoveries this is no problem.
If you have an old IDE/PATA disk then it is also possible but will need an additional convertor. (The 2½ inch PATA connectors are smaller and include the lines for power.).
If you have another suggestion how to determine whether the HDD is the cause, that would do as well.
- Anything logged in the event viewer? (start run eventvwr.msc).
- If installed, local diagnistics (Good one Terry).
- Else any SMART capable tool to check disk statistics.
