XW6600 and XW8600 SFF Bay Converter

[AndyCF]

Hello, not been here for a few years! 🙂

This part fits both the 6600 and the 8600

The .pdf link via a search was broken however its filename is "c01288053.pdf" ,

Found the link here that works > http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01288053.pdf

Basically this is a 'cage' the permits 3 SFF drives into the two existing bays on the 6600 or two 'cages' to allow up to 6 SFF, the pdf shows only diagrams for the 8600 which has a larger space but the 6600 is similar except by default only two drives. This allows as mentioned 3 smaller 2.5 units into the space of the 2 3.5

Its called "HP 2.5-inch SFF 2:3 Bay Converter kit" or possibly " "HP SFF 2.5-inch SAS hard drive kit"

I have the XW6600 but I am unable to locate this part because I do not know the part number. The machine itself will only let me have two drives unless I make use of the empty 5.25 bay but as HP have a part to allow 3 SFF's into the existing space, that makes sense.

I realise it was not probably meant for SSD's but that seems ideal use of it now as I can easily fit 3 into the drive 'cage' using this, which also uses the two sets of original plastic green 'rails' to hold it all.

I have seen one of these 'carriers' about once in the dim past but not lately, but without a part number its difficult to search for.

Thank you. 😀

[erico]

I believe this is the document you mean which describes the carrier.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01288053.pdf

I can ask internally for the part number.  Be aware that as this is Sunday,  this may take a few days.

[AndyCF]

Thank you Erico.

I did just edit my post right now as I found a working link to the .pdf

Yes its that one, The pdf only has diagramatical images for the 'bigger brother' the 8600 but that accepts two of these 'convertors' if needed, whereas as you know the 6600 has space for one.

Thank you if you could, not in any hurry as my SSD's won't arrive for about 2 weeks anyway, but obviously if I have the part code for the item it will give me time to find one. I have a suspicion it might be a bit tricky to find, but you never know.

Thank you for the quick reply too.

[erico]

You're welcome!

I did find HP 464080-001 SPS-Carrier, 2.5 HDD in the HP PartSurfer data for the workstation. It holds a single drive.

https://partsurfer.hp.com/partsurfer/?searchtext=AL175US&searchby=product

I have asked in an internal forum section available to Experts.

Just a heads up, the xw8600 and xw660 are listed as obsolete units so this may be a fruitful search or not.

There are a few forums that people frequent to discuss the HP workstations. They may be good places to inquire about the carrier.

https://www.google.com/search?q=HP+xw+workstation+forum&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS918US918&oq=HP+xw+workstatio...

Just so you know, you can use Velcro tape to secure drives in the case. The little drives don't really become hot enough to melt the adhesive.  That is a MacGyver solution anyway, if that helps.

[SDH]

I have a couple of those in my parts storage area here. I could dig them out and get you the numeric part number embossed on the black plastic if you wish. You can have them, gratis. The HP Option part number is GM109AA... those were rare even back then, so I doubt you'll find one otherwise.

Or, Corsair makes a nice 3.5-to-2 x 2.5" strong metal adapter we used quite a few of, the CSSD-BRKT2. That allows you to fit 2 SSDs into each of your 3.5 bays, and you mount that adapter into the standard HP slider that normally goes into the bay. The very nice thing about these is that the SSD mounting "holes" are actually closed-ended slots so you can make tight fits work by sliding the bottom SSD as far forward as the cables will allow, and then slide the upper one as far forward as the resulting combination of the 2 cable sets would allow. In this way all SATA 90 degree turn-down power and data cables could nestle together in the small space you have to work with in the xw6400/6600 workstations. I also used a combination of upper turn-up and lower turn-down cable adapters to get stacked SSDs to just barely fit in our even less deep Z420/Z440 workstations. This was to use multiple boot drives and a special drive switch. Pay attention to cooling... I always add a front case fan if one is not there. There is a HP adapter for that, and I even came up with a ghetto mod method. Here's the adapter:

CSSD-BRKT2

You may want to use other HP offerings for your needs. Attached below are two PDFs from them. IcyDock makes the 4-in-1 5.25" bay kit that HP used.

[SDH]

Andy... found those, and a couple of the green HP sliders for you if you want them also. The pics below will help you understand how these fit in. The HP design results in enough gap between the 3 possible SSDs so that you should not have problems with the cables being too bulked up together. I'm guessing that quality 90 degree turn-down data and power cables are what you'd want. I specifically like the Molex brand SATA power cable ones, from Mouser.com (HP uses the Molex brand ones in some of their kits). I can get you info on the part numbers for those if you need.

PM me, and the idea is to just send me a box with a return addressed prepaid box inside that, and 1 or both are yours. This way I can tell my wife I'm finally clearing out some of my stash...

Here's the pics:

[erico]

@SDH 

That is some great information and a nice offer!

Thanks for helping and providing the solution. 

Kudos from me.

[SDH]

Erico... thanks for that.

I cut my teeth on the xw6400 and especially on the xw6600. I knew I was saving those adapters for some good purpose! Hopefully AndyCF will figure out how to contact me here. Or, use the info to get one from elsewhere... using that numeric part number I actually found a few via google/bing.