Can I add another hard drive?

[dderg]

First off, I inadverdently clicked the "I have the same question"; even though my question is extremely similar.

I just bought an HP Pavilion Desktop 570-p033w, which has only one hard drive (1TB [spinning]).  I have the hard drive from my old computer and need to access the files off it.  Wondering if I can add the old HDD as a secondary/slave drive internally to my new desktop?  I see an extra power supply cable, but no data cable (or, place to plug another cable into the motherboard).  I know that it is possible to add NVMe SSD drive, etc., but does this unit support an additional HDD (SATA)?

[REO51ST · Accepted solution]

@dderg

There is a spot for  a 2.5" drive but not another 3.5" drive.

HP Pavilion 570-p000 Desktop PC series - 1. PC Tour - Outer and Inner

https://h20574.www2.hp.com/results.htm?SID=13823514&MEID=3747F547-9231-4087-B5C3-F9AE5357DA8E

Click on Internal.

If you have to you could use the CD/DVD Power and Data cables just to get the info off your old drive.

REO

[dderg]

Thank you, REO!  That link is great help. (Although the motherboard shown on the "internal" view is not what is in my unit -- the M.2 SSD card connector is not to the "left" of the processor but rather "above" it. But not relavent here. lol)

You stated:

"If you have to you could use the CD/DVD Power and Data cables just to get the info off your old drive."

Could you provide more detail how I might go about that?

Also, could I use an external drive docking station?  Do you know if they work like an external drive "enclosure"?

Again, I really thank you for replying so quickly and with the great advice.

[wb2001]

@dderg,

An external SATA enclosure with USB 3 would work.

[REO51ST]

@dderg

Open your case.

Remove the cables off the back of the CD/DVD.

This is just temporary.

Find something to lay the hard drive on inside the case.

Do not put your side cover on and boot.

Copy and paste what you need.

Shutdown and put everything back.

HP Pavilion 570-p000 Desktop PC series - 2. Service Procedure Videos

https://h20574.www2.hp.com/results.htm?SID=13823514&MEID=977E1CC9-308F-4BA7-ACB6-124710A90CC6

REO

[REO51ST]

@dderg

Click on Optical Drive 

Watching that video it looks like you may have enough cable to put the drive out side the case.

Let me know what you decide.

REO

[dderg]

Thanks again, and again, REO.  I am currently in the process of copying files from the old HDD to the new computer via the optical (CD/DVD) data cable.  It was an arduous task to locate an extra power connector in the new desktop's case, but finally found it hidden beneath all the other drive case/housing.  The data cable would be long enough to let the "slave" drive sit on the desk's top beside the computer itself, but the power cable had literally only a couple of inches of slack.  I had to "artistically engineer" a way to hold the old drive while copying files -- No, I don't think I will show/explain just how I've done that particular feat here; far too primitive to be less than embarassing in the company of technophiles. 

I am grateful for all the help and information from each of you and can only hope that I may someday be able to offer even a small portion of assistance to someone else such as your information has provided to me.

I have ordered a hard drive docking station/bay.  it comes with a Type C USB cable to connect to the computer.  Since my new system has this type connection, I am in hopes that this is all I will need in the future for such process. I will post here to let everyone know how it turns out, once I receive it and get a chance to try it out.   While I do consider that I spend a fair amount of time at the computer, it is not like I can be at it every day.  In fact, it is sometimes several days apart that I can actually get to online to do anything other than the specific activities that are required of me.  For that reason, I hope all of you can understand that I will not often be "Johnny-on-the-spot" in replying to posts/threads here.  But, I do look forward to getting back here as often as I can.

Thanks again, to all who take their valuable time and extend their knowledge in helping others -- here and elsewhere.