Can I Hot swap

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Atgni

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I was going to buy an external HHD but my usbs are only 2.0. Then I read about hot swapping via a dock added to the case using SATA. But what I have heard is that my motherboard needs to allow hot swapping. So this is when I start to get lost im afraid.
My PC has 2 spare bays I could fit one but does that mean I also have the necessary SATA and power cable laying about inside the case somewhere too.
Its
HP Compaq 8200 Elite CMT PC
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Currently inside is an ssd for the OS and main programs and another HHD for storage. I want the extra external HHD / hot swap for back up purposes.
Thank you
 
You mention hot swap, hot swap is so you can take out the hard drives while the system is still running. Is this what you actually want to do?
 
omega015 said:
You mention hot swap, hot swap is so you can take out the hard drives while the system is still running. Is this what you actually want to do?
Click to expand...
Thank you for your responce.
Yes that's right. At least I think that is what it is called. Hoping to do it that way instead of plugging into the mains an external HHD and transferring data via USB 2.01.
I was looking at getting the external WD Elements 3.5 external HDD its USB 3.0 but I only have USB 2.0 so am thinking about my USB 2.0 will be a much slower transfer. But I have spare bays in my case to fit some sort of swapping caddy.
 
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I can't find any specifics on the motherboard identifying any options like hotswap but I suspect its very unlikely to allow hotswapping (although I have used modified bios on some HP machines to enable it).

It might be worthwhile looking at a PCIe card to give you usb 3.0 ports if you have a free slot available? given the age I would suspect its PCIe 2.0,
there's even PCIe cards that allow SATA hot swap and built in docks that might be something to consider

Amazon examples:
PCI-E X1 to SATA 3.0 Controller Card, 4-Port SATA III 6Gbps Expansion Cards, Supports PCI-Express (1X 4X 8X 16X) Slot, Support SSD and HDD, for Windows10/7/8/XP/Vista/linux
or
Icy Dock ToughArmor MB839SP-B SATA Hot Swap Removable Frame for PCIe 2.0 x1 Slot

Note, that those are just random search results, I have not used these so do a little research / read reviews. Remember amazon take almost anything back, so if its not suitable you can return.

EDIT: using a PCIe card with multiple sata ports and then replacing any optical drive with a HDD bay/dock could give you plenty of additional hot swappable storage.
 
Thanks.
Maybe I dont need hotswapping after all as I didn’t realise I could just put in a usb 3.0 card, that would be the easiest and cheapest way to to get faster transfer speeds than my current USB 2.0
How do I check what PCIe 2.0 or other type I have.

So I could put in this
 
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RandomGrinch said:
Personally, as above, I'd get a PCIe to USB3 card, (low profile to match your slim case), and stick with the original plan of an external WD Elements drive.

Something like...

It saves messing around with SATA, and potentially damaging bare drives.

It may mean checking there is space within the case to accept the new card.
Click to expand...
Sorry I was posting then I saw this.
I was thinking about damaging bare HDDs actually.
My case is a full size one.
I will have to have a look inside
 
I think given the age its very likely pci 2.0, a 1x slot should be sufficient.
 
omega015 said:
I think given the age its very likely pci 2.0, a 1x slot should be sufficient.
Click to expand...
Thanks
Does any of this tell me what pci I have - sorry for the long info

USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x1C26
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub20
| Service: usbhub
|
+-+ Generic USB Hub
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x8087, 0x0024
| | Location: Port_#0001.Hub_#0002
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_09
| | Service: usbhub

System Devices
--------------
Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C2D&SUBSYS_1494103C&REV_04\3&11583659&0&D0
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI Express standard Root Port
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C1E&SUBSYS_1494103C&REV_B4\3&11583659&0&E7
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard ISA bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C4E&SUBSYS_1494103C&REV_04\3&11583659&0&F8
Driver: n/a

Name: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_042F&SUBSYS_049310DE&REV_A1\4&33377313&0&0008
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C26&SUBSYS_1494103C&REV_04\3&11583659&0&E8
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI Express standard Root Port
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C1C&SUBSYS_1494103C&REV_B4\3&11583659&0&E6
 
Atgni said:
Does any of this tell me what pci I have - sorry for the long info
Click to expand...
Can you post a picture of the PC with the case removed (i.e. a pic of the motherboard)?
We should be able to see if there's enough room for a card, and check there is an appropriate slot.
The specs I've seen suggest you may have a free PCI Express X1 slot.
 
RandomGrinch said:
Can you post a picture of the PC with the case removed (i.e. a pic of the motherboard)?
We should be able to see if there's enough room for a card, and check there is an appropriate slot.
The specs I've seen suggest you may have a free PCI Express X1 slot.
Click to expand...
Ok thank you I will do but I may be a couple of days as I am using it and dare not mess with it until I have finished my current project on it. It also is due a de- dust inside.
I did fit a NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 when I first got the PC - would that be occupying the slot. It was so long ago I cant remember much.
 
That gpu is a x16 slot but its only single slot so I think you should have a x1 slot free but yeah best take a pic to be 100% sure. Also that GPU is a half height card so if thats almost to the top of the case then you'll likely need a half height card (low profile ) for the usb also.
 
omega015 said:
That gpu is a x16 slot but its only single slot so I think you should have a x1 slot free but yeah best take a pic to be 100% sure. Also that GPU is a half height card so if thats almost to the top of the case then you'll likely need a half height card (low profile ) for the usb also.
Click to expand...
Great - thanks for your help I got a feeling that I did not know I was buying a half height card so I may well have room for a full but I will take pictures. Its a proper sized case and not a SFF.
 
Not got my photo yet but I will but whilst searching for a usb 3.0 card I came across one that is not a card and fits into a front bay and has a lead that plugs in some where.
this one
or this one
Is there a reason why I can not or should not use one like this that I can access from the front. Is it slower or something
Thanks
 
These are just USB hubs really so even if your motherboard has the header for it, it will still be at USB 2.0 speed as thats all your motherboard has.
 
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