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    Latitude E series: Modular Bay adapter for second hard drive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by freemanzhu, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. freemanzhu

    freemanzhu Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Latitude E6400 on order and would like to use a second drive with it by means of a hard drive adapter for the modular bay. However Dell's website doesn't seem to list such a part for sale, though their support pages do reference such a thing (no part number though). Anyway know anything about this? I know I could go with eSATA/USB/FireWire but would prefer an internal solution.
     
    freemanzhu, Dec 9, 2008
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  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Welcome to nbr,

    I think the E6400 uses mini SATA based optical drives, but I am not 100% sure

    Most notebooks have an ATAPI based optical drive, so something like this can be used:

    http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_27&products_id=168

    However I believe yours has a mini SATA based optical drive so you need one of these:
    http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=188

    Please remove your optical drive and see what interface it uses.
    Than simply buy the caddy you need.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 9, 2008
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  3. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I just told you.
    That adaptor fits into the optical drive bay. That adaptor holds a standard SATA drive in the optical drive
    The harddrive runs through the interface a normal optical drive runs in.
    Trust me the part I linked you to is the right thing.

    ~read the site I linked you to~

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 9, 2008
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  4. freemanzhu

    freemanzhu Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks I'll check this out. But does anyone know of Dell's part for this? Surely they must make one, because second hard drive is an option listed for the modular bay in Dell's specifications for the E6400, though during purchasing I was not offered that option.
     
    freemanzhu, Dec 9, 2008
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    hmm, can you measure the thickness of your optical drive.
    The caddy I linked you to is 12.7mm thick.
    I know the E6400 is thin, so it may have a 9.5mm thick optical drive
    If it has a 9.5mm thick drive you will not be able to use the adaptor I linked you to.

    I sent a message to a fellow E6400 owner, so hopefully he can be of more assistance

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 9, 2008
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  6. freemanzhu

    freemanzhu Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hasn't arrived yet but I'm almost positive it is 9.5 mm. Thanks for your help!
     
    freemanzhu, Dec 9, 2008
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  7. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The media bay height is 9.5mm.

    There's more discussion of the E series modular bay HDD in this thread although it doesn't go as far as giving a part number. As you will see from the service manual, the modular bay HDD is shown as 1.8" (caused, I suspect because Dell wanted to put the HDD inside a box which will fit in the bay and there's no room for a top and bottom if they use a 9.5mm thick 2.5" HDD.

    I don't think the 1.8" HDD solution has been received with acclaim and one of the E6400 owners reported that Dell were working on a 2.5" alternative (ie a cradlefor the HDD).

    I suggest you post your question in the other thread which is more likely to be noticed by the E6400 owners. You might also want to drop in at the E6400 Owners' Lounge.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Dec 10, 2008
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