Hardware Good, Cheap HDD Enclosure

[godreborn]

I have an hdd that I'd like to put in an enclosure. it's 2TB. the enclosures I've been using seem to have issues if not plugged in for a while, so those hdds are always dead. an hdd that hasn't been in an enclosure, like the one I have -- I need a good, cheap and reliable enclosure that won't have this problem. I think the problem may have been the fact that they're powered through a toggle switch. thanks.

 

[EmulateLife]

Just bought one the other day on Ebay, the second one I've bought.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-5-SATA-U...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[godreborn]

I've been checking which hdds work and which don't. one that doesn't work from its original enclosure -- it has a usb 3.0 soldered to the board, so you can't plug it in with a SATA connection. my friend told me that it's now commonplace for that, which majorly sucks if something is wrong with the enclosure itself.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I have an hdd that I'd like to put in an enclosure. it's 2TB. the enclosures I've been using seem to have issues if not plugged in for a while, so those hdds are always dead. an hdd that hasn't been in an enclosure, like the one I have -- I need a good, cheap and reliable enclosure that won't have this problem. I think the problem may have been the fact that they're powered through a toggle switch. thanks.

I needed a new enclosure as my old one was starting to break down (still works fine but has missing screws and a plastic piece broke), bought this Ugreen one that had good reviews: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32815404045.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1d0b4c4ddyOxb7
Mainly as I wanted one with USB-C (the USB 3.0 Micro connector suuuuucks), but they also have models without USB-C that are cheaper.
Been happy with it so far, the cable that comes with it seems good quality too, thick and has a solid molded USB-C plug (no seam going down one side like the cheaper ones have, even the official Nintendo one has that)

 

[Deleted User]

I can recommend Orico enclosure. It's also transparent which I think is really neat.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-5-inch-T...l-Free-UASP-Hard-Drive-Enclosure/183444213888

 

[Bowl0l]

Do you actually need an enclosure?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32827326723.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dsuyRLz
Supports IDE, SATA and comes with a power adapter.

 

[godreborn]

well, I have a sata station just to check hdds. that's how I know the one I removed from my laptop over a year ago is still good. there's something about these enclosures that my hdds don't like. the one from my laptop has never been in an enclosure.

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question: have any of you had these enclosures with an hdd inside, sitting for over a year? and, they still work?

 

[Captain_N]

I've been checking which hdds work and which don't. one that doesn't work from its original enclosure -- it has a usb 3.0 soldered to the board, so you can't plug it in with a SATA connection. my friend told me that it's now commonplace for that, which majorly sucks if something is wrong with the enclosure itself.

The western digital 2.5 inch external hdds are all in one units. the larger enclosures like the WD my book 8tb are just 3.5 inch desktop drives in a box. they can be shucked. There is actully a way to bypass the soldered usb 3. you can connect wires directly to the sata traces. DVRs like direct tv boxes are a good place to get drives. all direct tv dvrs from 2014 and on have alteast a 1tb drive. Most thrift stores will sell them for under $10. I have gotten 4 1tb drives that way. all good drives too

 

[Deleted User]

I use mine as an external drive for Xbox One for over a year. It's basically always powered and being regularly used.

 

[godreborn]

do you use a y-cable?

 

[Deleted User]

do you use a y-cable?

Nah, just a single usb cable that came with it.

 

[godreborn]

hmm...I'm wondering how well it would fair if not used. that's the only thing all these hdds have in common, almost as if the enclosure wasn't getting enough power, but most of these do come as single cable devices, so I assume it doesn't matter if you use a y-cable.

 

[Bowl0l]

question: have any of you had these enclosures with an hdd inside, sitting for over a year? and, they still work?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AA4E8K/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bought this at 2015. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. It came with it's own power cable. I used it to store files that i open after 2 ~ 3 years.
The HDD still works.

 

[godreborn]

looks like the enclosures I always got: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sabrent-3-...043439&hash=item41fd83625e:g:-nYAAOSws7FclCav