HP Z 440 - Windows 10 "embedded"?

[SDH]

I rarely get a scoop on DGroves... but here may be one. You mention you have 2 standard 3.5" drive caddies (which he gave you the part number for, and that is embossed on their plastic surface too). The expensive HP 2.5" to 3.5" adapters you speak of used to be about 10x more expensive that my HP adapters, if you're willing to reject the "tool-less" version for one that requires you to learn how to use a screwdriver and four short M3 metric machine screws to hold the SSD onto the adapter. The threaded holes on the metal sides of the adapter are Imperial threads instead (same as present in all 3.5" form factor HDDs).

Look up 654540-001 (or even 654540-002) on eBay. Those are what you want to buy. If you're willing to wait a bit China is a great source (where Foxconn makes these for HP), or get them from a good US eBay seller for about 10.00 each. Same nice HP quality, same Foxconn "BlindMate" transition sockets built in. Just 1/10th the cost from what the fancier ones used to be... identical A+ quality. Another nice thing about these is that if you want to do this adaptation in any HP Z workstation that uses the "drive drawer" concept these adapters will receive a 2.5" SSD and shift the rear BlindMate SATA power/data I/O ports to the left so they mesh perfectly with the built-in Foxconn BlindMate receiver back in the depths of the bay... these work fine for the Z600/800, Z620/820, Z640/840, etc. The "tool-less" one does that too. Prices have come down for those on eBay. I have used both types, but for ease of access I keep one of the simpler cheaper ones in a home  Z620 drive drawer so if I need to do some quick SSD work I just slip it into the adapter's BlindMate sockets without use of any screws at all. Handy. Here's what you want:

[wny2016]

Thanks. I want to be able to use the standard drive caddies for ease of removal in the lower 2 chassis "slots". Not sure how the ones you've suggested would work with that, as the 3.5" drive caddies use metal posts, as you know, to insert into the full-size HDD.

[SDH]

The side mounting holes in the metal of the HP 3.5 to 2.5" adapters we're talking about were designed by HP/Foxconn to exactly duplicate those built into the sides of standard solid metal 3.5" form-factor spinning HDDs. The 4 unthreaded stainless-steel pins on your plastic 3.5" form factor caddy slip into those holes.

More info for you HERE .

These (either of the two HP types) are exactly what I'm using in my Z440 and Z640 workstations. I like the less expensive ones best because for quick work on a SSD I can just slip it into the connector on the BlindMate adapter without use of any screws. Here is a picture of 668261-001, the "tool-less" version I don't like as well:

[wny2016]

Thanks - I just ordered a pair on eBay. You're right- they'e all the same Foxconn parts. Two for $10, not bad.

I appreciate all of your help!