HDD mounting technique advice

[omegus]

Is this way of mounting OK for the HDD? Will it cause damage in the long run?

I don't have a proper mounting bracket for a 2.5 in HDD so I just used one screw in the back and mounted it to the drive cage. It's the bottom drive in the pictures

https://ibb.co/iZe9Pd https://ibb.co/msmCcy

https://ibb.co/msmCcy

 

[Barty1884]

It's not really ideal - being secured from only one side will still see excessive vibrations/movement and, over time, that *could* be problematic.

I've had similar problems on occassion (usually replacing drives in OEM systems for others, where all I have is 2.5" drives on hand).
I've found securing it on the one side, the way you have ..... plus a longer screw via the other side (to reach/screw into the 2.5" drive) appears to work for the long-run.

 

[omegus]

It's not really ideal - being secured from only one side will still see excessive vibrations/movement and, over time, that *could* be problematic.

I've had similar problems on occassion (usually replacing drives in OEM systems for others, where all I have is 2.5" drives on hand).
I've found securing it on the one side, the way you have ..... plus a longer screw via the other side (to reach/screw into the 2.5" drive) appears to work for the long-run.

Sorry I'm not able to visualize your recommendation. The way it is mounted now, I cannot see the screw hole on the other end of the HDD. It;s been obstructed by the drive cage. That's why I could only put one screw in the back.

 

[Barty1884]

I was suggested a longer screw from the other side of the drive case.

BUT, looking at it now.... is that an SSD in the tray above?
If so, use the tray to mount the 2.5" HDD instead.

An SSD has no moving parts, so doesn't even (technically) need to be secured.
The single screw to hold an SSD in place is more than sufficient -- or double-sided tape/velcro etc.

 

[omegus]

I was suggested a longer screw from the other side of the drive case.

BUT, looking at it now.... is that an SSD in the tray above?
If so, use the tray to mount the 2.5" HDD instead.

An SSD has no moving parts, so doesn't even (technically) need to be secured.
The single screw to hold an SSD in place is more than sufficient -- or double-sided tape/velcro etc.

OK i think I understand now. In the pic below, the other side of the drive cage reveals another HDD mounting hole (back end). If I put a long screw there, it will stabilize it? Won't the front still vibrate since no screws are holding it in place?

https://ibb.co/hJmW4d

As for the tray solution, I was told the circuitry board of the HDD should not be in contact with metal tray due to possible short circuits. The HDD can only be mounted face down since that's where the 4 mounting holes are (which is bad).

 

[omegus]

I was able to install the 2.5 inch HDD in 3.5 inch bay a way that I could fit one M3 screw in the back and one M3 screw in the front (both left side). The other side remains free. Is this sufficient to stop vibration/long term damage?

 

[R0GG]

The way some laptops and portable hard drives are set up at times is they come equipped with a thin plastic film applied to their bottom surface to prevent form any unwanted metal contact, especially when housed in a metal cage ( for good fixture and heat dissipation),
You could also keep your current drive fixture and try to add a second screw to the same side you have the first one ( drilling with a strong screw or other tool a small hole) or add a custom cut piece of stereo foam on the opposite far side of the drive that filling the gap between the drive and the vertical cage wall and protruding slightly underneath the drive to give it some snug fit which would help minimizing drive vibration (but would decrease slightly heat dissipation)

 

[omegus]

The way some laptops and portable hard drives are set up at times is they come equipped with a thin plastic film applied to their bottom surface to prevent form any unwanted metal contact, especially when housed in a metal cage ( for good fixture and heat dissipation),
You could also keep your current drive fixture and try to add a second screw to the same side you have the first one ( drilling with a strong screw or other tool a small hole) or add a custom cut piece of stereo foam on the opposite far side of the drive that filling the gap between the drive and the vertical cage wall and protruding slightly underneath the drive to give it some snug fit which would help minimizing drive vibration (but would decrease slightly heat dissipation)

Yeah so I ended up being able to put another screw on the same side as the first one. The right side is completely free though, but the left side has one screw in the back and front. There is space between the drive and the bottom of the cage and to the right of the cage. But it isn't wobbling or anything.

You still recommend Styrofoam on the right and bottom of the cage? Won't this increase heat?

 

[R0GG]

Yeah that's pretty snug already with 2 screws, drive is small and will stay put with minimal vibrations, I wouldn't worry about adding extra stereo foam which if applied (small piece) won't decrease heat dissipation much anyway because drive has plenty of exchange surface with air. It's always good practice to have a fan blowing on the drive cage too.
You can keep an eye on your drive for excessive temps or vibration (gsensor and raw read error rate I think) using HDtune or Hard disk sentinel crystal disk info and reinforce it if needed.
If your drive cage fits a 3.5" you can always look for a 2.5" to 3.5" drive adapter that would fit your needs, there are plenty of models on ebay, plastic or metal with different cut outs and mounting configurations.

 

[omegus]

Yeah that's pretty snug already with 2 screws, drive is small and will stay put with minimal vibrations, I wouldn't worry about adding extra stereo foam which if applied (small piece) won't decrease heat dissipation much anyway because drive has plenty of exchange surface with air. It's always good practice to have a fan blowing on the drive cage too.
You can keep an eye on your drive for excessive temps or vibration (gsensor and raw read error rate I think) using HDtune or Hard disk sentinel crystal disk info and reinforce it if needed.

Great, thanks for the tips. unfortunately, I can't add another case fan to throw air onto the drive cage because I'm stuck with an OEM pc and OEM case. All I have is one in-take fan on the back on my case and the drive cage is near the front of the case. But temperature (crystal disk) stays around 30-35 degrees celsius, which isn't too bad.

 

[R0GG]

My pleasure.
This metal 2.5" to 3.5" bracket has side drive mounts: perfect
MK205-PB 2.5" Inch SSD to 3.5" Inch HDD Drive Bay Adapter - NEW >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/MK205-PB-2-5-Inch-SSD-to-3-5-Inch-HDD-Drive-Bay-Adapter-NEW/331101179292?hash=item4d172b0d9c:g:0U0AAOSwLs9aejwr

SSD to HDD 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Screw less Hard Drive Holder >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/SSD-to-HDD-2-5-Inch-to-3-5-Inch-Screw-less-Hard-Drive-Holder/282811574835?hash=item41d8e22a33:g:m1YAAOSw1URaxAPT

 

[omegus]

Second one looks good. But doesn't plastic absorb heat, which in turn, would heat up the drive as well? And if it heats too much, it might just melt?

 

[R0GG]

Either one would do the job, I prefer the metallic one is good for heat dissipation and appears to be able to hold couple of drives, plastic one is easier to install, but don't think you'd see a huge drive temps difference between the two.

Check out this elegant drive bracket with raised bottom drive mounting holes from Mushkin : >>https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mushkin-Enhanced-MKNSSDBRKT2535-3-5-Inch-to-2-5-Inch-Drive-Adapter-Bracket/323241759931?hash=item4b42b5d4bb:g:39gAAOSw9VJa-RI5

Or this well aired metal bracket from Kingwin >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingwin-HDM-225-2-5-Inch-to-3-5-Inch-Internal-Hard-Disk-Drive-Mounting-Kit/252402199944?epid=1100421531&hash=item3ac457ed88:g:kzsAAOSwNsdXRdgY

Or take a look at this glorious Sabrent one with all the goodies, up for grabs for the ridiculous price of $8 >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sabrent-BK-HDCC-3-5-Inch-to-x2-SSD-2-5-Inch-Internal-Hard-Drive-Mounting-Kit/282999818896?hash=item41e41a8a90:g:6bkAAOSwOGFbGh9~