Adding 2nd hard drive

[east10ccub]

Fair warning: I don't know technical spec/speak. Yeah, go ahead and roll your eyes 🙂

My old HP (p6803w) died so I bought another (570-p013wb) from WalMart.  I had 2 hard drives in the old one..one just for backing up media (was NOT my main drive). I'd like to add this drive to the new computer but I'll admit it: I'm lost. There's no extra connections like the old computer had to plug in a 2nd drive so I bought a USB cable (SATA data & power combo 7+15 pin) that connects to the hard drive thinking that would be easier-but the new computer doesn't ''see''' any files on the old drive (using the USB 3.0 port which is supposed to be enough to power it too).

Under 'Browse Files' it's just grayed out:

So, I'm back to thinking to get inside the new machine and hook it up (or try), but again, there are no extra places for a 2nd drive that I can see. Am I missing something? lol obviously! Seriously though, is this possible or am I wasting your time by asking all of this? If you have questions I will do my very, very best to answer!

Thank you for your time!

[east10ccub]

A small update. I disconnected the data cable from the DVD drive and that fits the old drive, but the power cord is different (the newer one is much, much smaller). They are 2 seperate beings and not one big wide plug-in like my old drive takes. Would this adapter be what I needed? There are so many adaptors to choose from..what is something specific I should search for?

https://smile.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Micro-Adapter-Cable-Power/dp/B002OVNWSK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid...

[erico]

Normally one would just use a SATA power conector from the PSU.

Unfortunately your PC has a seriously low power PSU @180W.

PCs with PSUs like the one yours had are the most difficult upgrade candidates.

That means there is no extra SATA power adapter available from the PSU.

Can you post a digital image of the power connector that went to the DVD drive?

[east10ccub]

Thanks for reading & replying!

[wb2001 · Accepted solution]

@erico,

The OP @east10ccub, was telling the truth.  Confusion would prevail.

There is no way to internally add a 2nd drive, being the board only has 2 SATA data headers.  The best option would be an external USB3.0 SATA hard drive case.  Such a unit would have the necessary external power supply. Recommend this.

[east10ccub]

*whew*now I know I'm not losing it! lol

I bought a data/powered USB cord that allows the drive to be attached externally but I still can't see my files...would the case be a better solution?

[east10ccub]

[Big_Dave]

@east10ccub

You can add a 2.5" HD or 2.5" SSD.  See the below image.  However, you will need to give up on using the optical drive in order to free up a SATA port.

Another option is to add a m.2 PCIe SSD. See the below images.

Review this thread for more information.

I suggest that you update the diagnostics and run a set. Then update the BIOS using BIOS update 82F2.

[east10ccub]

Thank you, Big Dave. I wouldn't mind adding a newer smaller drive, I would just like to be able to install (or at least transfer) the files off of my old drive first. Losing the DVD drive wouldn't mean much.

[wb2001]

@east10ccub,

Can you send a link of this data/power usb cord?  Is has to has a controller board to convert SATA to USB.  I do believe the external enclosure (I use it) would solve your issue.  It would also allow you to copy data back to the drive, to have an offline protected drive (when the drive is removed).