Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: MomNEEDShelp on August 11, 2018, 03:56:36 PM
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Hi everyone!
Let me first say, I am NOT computer savvy.
I had 2 CCTV security systems that I wasn't using. Dad said to throw them out but I decided to take them apart to look inside. Obviously, each had a Hard Drive.
The first one is: Seagate Constellation ES with 2TB (Model#ST32000644NS) Amazon MSRP:$58.99
The second one is: WD Blue 1TB SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64MB (Model:WD10EZEX) Amazon MSRP:$43.99
I don't know if either is good/working. I also don't know what to do with them now that they are loose sitting on my desk. Are they junk???
Is there an EASY way to test them without having to buy additional items?
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yes...both HDD manuf. have a Free diagnostic app to test the health of the drives...
Just DLoad the app and follow the info to make the USB stik bootanle...
Run the Long test and you'll know whether they are worth it...or not.
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what was taken apart?
the actual, physical hard drive units and you can now see the spinning, metal platters?
or just the CCTV recording unit that housed those drives?
if the first, forget it , you have 'contaminated' the drives and they will be useless.
if the second, with the usage and age of those units, and the cost compared to new ones, it's unlikely anyone will want them for anything more than mere dollars each.
you could always put them into a NAS unit or into separate external drive enclosures and use them for backups, media library, your own CCTV recording system, home file server - to name a few.
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I believe just the CCTV housed drivers. They have a siver 'case/frame' whith sickers that tell what they are and the back shows the green computer board looking part. I see no parts that could possibly spin.
I don't know where to stick what park to be able to test it somehow. I saved a plug with a red, yellow, ornage and black wire(s) and another flat noodle shaped wire/plug for each. I don't need the 'ribbon, right?"
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I think the easiest way of testing them given your skill level would be via an HDD Enclosure, which would in fact be a separate purchase.
Otherwise, testing it would be effectively installing it into a desktop computer and testing it from there.
Here is the CH article (https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000413.htm) on installing an HDD. Remember that the drives you have are SATA- so ignore parts of the article which reference "IDE" (including the only picture (!))
Fundamentally, you would put it in the PC case, and then you want a wire going from that PC's power supply to the HDD and a SATA cable going from the HDD to the motherboard.
If installed properly in this way, They would appear as an additional hard disk which you can test/inspect using the HDD tools that Patio mentioned.
With an enclosure you do almost the same thing, but it will be with a separate device which you attach to the computer as a USB Drive. You'd be able to run most inspection utilities that way or at least you'll know if the drives seem fine or not.
As Mark. said, it is unlikely that you'd be able to resell them, however, you may want to use them for your own purposes. 2TB is a good amount of storage, and if you have a desktop system and it has space for it, it could make for a nice space upgrade.
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Actually if she mentions "ribbon" they may be IDE HDD's....either way your advice applies...
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Actually if she mentions "ribbon" they may be IDE HDD's....either way your advice applies...
The models she listed in the OP are SATA drives. (2TB Seagate Constellation ES and WD Blue 1TB).