WD My Book, remove HDD and put into computer?

[Nada190]

Was wondering if you can remove the HDD inside the enclosure and use it as an internal storage drive?

 

[ssddx]

sure why not? its just a regular hard drive inside the case.

 

[fzabkar]

If you wish to preserve your data, then be aware that Essentials models are encrypted. The USB-SATA bridge board is required to decrypt the data.

Another complication is that 3TB My Books are configured with 4KB sectors. If you remove the drive from the enclosure, you will expose its native 512e sectors. This will once again prevent you from accessing your data.

 

[ssddx]

yes but if you formatted the drive (yes you lose all data) it could be used as a desktop internal hard drive.

personally i'd suggest getting a good 7200 drive like a caviar black instead..... but the op didnt ask that.

i shouldnt have to say that the information would have to be backed up first.. but yes it should be if you intend to take it out of the case.

 

[Josieh]

I have one of those 3TB , 3.5" external My books and it won't power up. My plan is to take the drive out and yes the data on it is valuable. Is the 3TB issue you speak of software (Files system) or hardware (USB - SATA bridge). Are you saying removal is not an option then? The drive has been formatted since new (before it stopped powering). Would it not be not be the same as a windows NTFS and when I plug it into another cradle? Any help would be awesome!

If you wish to preserve your data, then be aware that Essentials models are encrypted. The USB-SATA bridge board is required to decrypt the data.

Another complication is that 3TB My Books are configured with 4KB sectors. If you remove the drive from the enclosure, you will expose its native 512e sectors. This will once again prevent you from accessing your data.