Exchange the DVD drive in the notebook for a hard drive
This practical tip shows you how to replace the DVD drive of your notebook with a second hard drive.
Exchange DVD drive for second hard drive - you have to be aware of that
DVDs are out. The modern computer user nowadays loads games via game platforms such as Steam, streams films via video on demand services and saves his favorite songs on the smartphone. But the storage space is getting scarcer, because games like Battlefield 4 (30GByte) or Titanfall (50GByte) take up a lot of space on the hard drive. So it's high time to replace the outdated optical data reader with a hard drive. Read here what you need to consider:
- Unfortunately, the hard drive cannot simply be pushed into the DVD drive. For this you need a special slot that connects the hard drive with the necessary plugs. We used this hard drive frame in our test.
- Important: The adapter is available in different sizes. In most cases the height of the DVD drive is 12.7mm. With netbooks or ultrabooks, however, this dimension may differ. Therefore, be sure to measure your drive with a caliper before ordering the hard drive bay.
- Also make sure that your DVD drive is connected to a SATA port on the notebook. If your laptop still has an old IDE connection, you can get the right adapter here.
- When buying a new hard drive, pay attention not only to the SATA connection, but also to the size. Only 2.5-inch hard drives fit into the adapter. A 3.5-inch hard drive is too big for most notebooks anyway.
- Tip: If you want to expand your notebook with an SSD, install it in the original HDD slot of your device and mount your old hard drive in the purchased HDD carry. Although the hard disk adapters are intended for SSDs according to the manufacturer's description, you could limit the reading speed because there is an additional adapter between the connections.
Installation: How to swap drive for drive
You don't have to be an IT professional to swap the DVD drive for a second hard drive. If you still don't trust yourself, just get help from friends or acquaintances. The installation takes about 10-15 minutes for experienced hardware craftsmen. Have a Phillips screwdriver ready - in our case there was already a suitable one with the purchased HDD carry. You can also find all the steps in our photo gallery.
- The following applies to all modifications to electronic devices: ground yourself before going inside a PC, otherwise irreparable damage to the sensitive computer hardware can occur. Simply grab a radiator for this. So-called earthing bracelets are also available for installation professionals. Also make sure your notebook is turned off and unplugged. For safety reasons, we recommend that you remove the battery before installation.
- Open the maintenance slot on your notebook.
- A screw usually holds the DVD drive in place. Loosen this screw.
- Now pull the DVD drive out of the slot as straight as possible. Then remove the cover of the drive. You will later attach these to the HDD caddy so that your notebook is not defaced by an ugly hole on the drive side. You can pry off the cover with a flat-blade screwdriver or a knife. The DVD drive is usually screwed to a metal plate in the housing. You must also remove this.
- Intermediate step: If you want to use an SSD and screw the old hard drive into the HDD carry, you can also remove it from the notebook housing.
- Now put your hard drive in the purchased adapter. Make sure that both the SATA pin and the power connector click into place. Use the four grub screws on the side to attach the hard drive to the caddy.
- Attach the cover plate of the DVD drive to the adapter and screw the previously removed metal plate into the intended position.
- Now push the slot with the hard disk into the original DVD slot and fix it with the screw you loosened in point 3. Your second drive is now mounted.
- If you want to operate an SSD, screw it into the free HDD slot.
- Important: In order for your hard disk to work properly under Windows, you may have to partition and activate it in the computer management.
All conversion work is done at your own risk. The author and CHIP Online accept no liability for potential damage to your notebook. Read how to upgrade your RAM in our CHIP article.