Yes, they can be moved. The interface is not readily apparent until you
open the case, but it will be a standard PATA or SATA with the usual
connectors. You may be able to get this info by checking the
manufacturer's site.
All the ones I've seen are identical to the drives used in desktops, so 
I assume the power requirements are  the same.


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [PCBUILD] External "hard drive" internal drive properties?
From: Dean Kukral <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, August 31, 2009 8:04 am
To: [log in to unmask]

Can the actual hard drive in an "external hard drive" such as a WD
Passport be removed and placed in a desktop?

Do they have a standard SATA (or IDE) interface?

What kind of power connection do they have, SATA, Molex, or ?

I am not concerned if they will physically fit in a desktop, only if
they use standard connections. I am mainly wondering if the 
extra circuitry on one goes bad, can you remove the hard drive from the
case and use it in a desktop and/or recover data from it on 
the desktop.

Out of curiosity, are these made for low power? It seems like hard
drives take a lot of power (at least my Raptors do) and a USB 
interface would be a little short.

TIA,

D. Kukral 

         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
                     visit our download web page at:
                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml