Do i need external power to connect internal desktop HDD to a laptop

[razerg]

Hi, I have a laptop (Toshiba Satellite L500D) and i'm planning to buy a Seagate 320GB SataII drive. I don't have complete PC yet so i would need to install Windows 8.1/7 on that HDD. Can i just connect with the SATA cable or i need external power to power the HDD from a PSU?

 

[USAFRet]

You want to install the OS on the HDD, while the HDD is connected to the laptop?

Do not do this.
Wait until the PC is built, then install the OS on the system where it will live.

Doing what you suggest will almost certainly result in the system not booting, and just having to install it again.

 

[razerg]

You want to install the OS on the HDD, while the HDD is connected to the laptop?

Do not do this.
Wait until the PC is built, then install the OS on the system where it will live.

Doing what you suggest will almost certainly result in the system not booting, and just having to install it again.

Yes, that was my idea, thanks for the tip, nice profile picture
But i still can transfer files to my desktop HDD once OS is installed right? Will then the HDD need external power?

 

[USAFRet]

You want to install the OS on the HDD, while the HDD is connected to the laptop?

Do not do this.
Wait until the PC is built, then install the OS on the system where it will live.

Doing what you suggest will almost certainly result in the system not booting, and just having to install it again.

Yes, that was my idea, thanks for the tip, nice profile picture
But i still can transfer files to my desktop HDD once OS is installed right? Will then the HDD need external power?

COnnecting a 3.5" drive to a laptop WILL require external power. A USB slot does not give enough voltage to run a 3.5" drive.

I have, and use regularly, a USB cable, that accepts SATA and IDE drives. Very useful for transferring data off old drives. Maybe $20 from Amazon.

 

[razerg]

You want to install the OS on the HDD, while the HDD is connected to the laptop?

Do not do this.
Wait until the PC is built, then install the OS on the system where it will live.

Doing what you suggest will almost certainly result in the system not booting, and just having to install it again.

Yes, that was my idea, thanks for the tip, nice profile picture
But i still can transfer files to my desktop HDD once OS is installed right? Will then the HDD need external power?

COnnecting a 3.5" drive to a laptop WILL require external power. A USB slot does not give enough voltage to run a 3.5" drive.

I have, and use regularly, a USB cable, that accepts SATA and IDE drives. Very useful for transferring data off old drives. Maybe $20 from Amazon.

NOT through the USB cable, my laptop has dedicated SATA port. Check it out. But i guess it's obvious it needs the additional power same as it would need in a desktop PC.