Question help adding hard drives to a dell t1700?

[rargran]

my custom build died and i'm trying to replace it with a dell t1700. i need to add two hard drives. i know i need a caddy to install one in this empty bay:

i thought i might be able to fit a hard drive here

but that might just be wishful thinking.

i know i should be able to put one here.

i'm sure i need some kind of 5.25 to 3.5 adapter, but i don't think a standard adapter will work because of those screwy blue clips.

 

[COLGeek]

The manual for the T1700 might help you find what you need. The HDD bracket can be found via multiple sources.

Using an open 5.25 bay should also be doable with a standard bracket.

https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/precision-t1700-workstation_owners-manual_en-us.pdf

Amazon.com

Something like this should install much like an optical drive would:

Amazon.com

 

[Aeacus]

i'm sure i need some kind of 5.25 to 3.5 adapter, but i don't think a standard adapter will work because of those screwy blue clips.

If you don't plan to transport your PC everywhere, then you can just put the HDD into 5.25" bay without screwing it in.

In my days, i've even used HDDs that sit on the table, next to PC, whereby SATA data and power cables run from inside the PC to the HDD. There is no requirement that HDD must be inside the PC case and screwed to the PC case.

 

[rargran]

Using an open 5.25 bay should also be doable with a standard bracket.

https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/precision-t1700-workstation_owners-manual_en-us.pdf

Amazon.com

Something like this should install much like an optical drive would:

Amazon.com

i ordered the caddy for the 3.5 bay. that amazon adapter looks like it needs to be loaded from the front. would something like this work if i take off the front plate then slide it back to lock with those crazy blue clips. then replace the front plate. it's designed to slide from the back. i think that might be an issue.
or do i need to look for something "trayless" one of these looks right. i'm just struggling with the idea that this 5.25 bay only installs from the front.

 

[COLGeek]

Either style could be made to work, I would think, even if you had to secure the bracket with zip ties.

 

[Aeacus]

i'm just struggling with the idea that this 5.25 bay only installs from the front.

The whole point of 5.25" bay was to house CD and later DVD/blu-ray readers/writers. So, it makes sense why 5.25" bays are front (external) loaded.