Reddit reviews StarTech.com USB 3.1 to 2.5" SATA Hard Drive Adapter - USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps with UASP External HDD/SSD Storage Converter (USB312SAT3CB), Black

The T5 was actually Samsung's first drive with their 64-layer TLC, which is also used in the 860 EVO and the last revision of the 850 EVO. It also uses the dual-core MGX controller found on the smaller SKUs of the 850 EVO. This is coupled with the ASMedia ASM235CM bridge chip which is found in many SATA-to-USB3.1 Gen 2 enclosures (example) as opposed to the older ASM1351 found on some cheaper adapters (example). So it's a solid device all-around but, yes, you could DIY.

The R720XD has two internal 2.5 drive bays on the back of the server. I have two SSDs attached to the server through these two drive bays in a mirrored pool for VM storage. FreeNAS has no problems with them, aside from the normal FreeNAS alert that those two drives get kinda warm. SMART shows no issues.

I have another pair of SSDs in a mirror, attached via SATA to USB cables for my FreeNAS boot volume. This too works fine, no alerts from the server nor FreeNAS OS about any of the SSDs attached. SMART is good on these drives as well.

When you mention your R610 reports them having problems, is that from the server itself? Or is the report from your OS? Are they attached to your HBA?

I agree, just get a USB 3.0 or 3.1 external but why get that expensive and super slow HDD when you can get an external SSD or a normal SATA SSD and a USB adapter like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84

Or the 3.1 version:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10Gbps-Adapter-Cable-Drives/dp/B00XLAZODE

I would never run any OS off of an HDD at this point, they're frustratingly slow. But that's just me.

Essentially an external hard drive is just a regular hard drive & a usb to sata adapter all inside of a box. It's possible that the hard drive got disconnected from the sata connector during the fall. Opening up the housing, removing & reseating the internal connector might be the ticket.

If the drive itself is well & truly fucked, you can get a bare drive to replace it with, perhaps even a better drive than what was in it originally. Or re-purpose the the thing to be an external hard drive reader.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XLAZODE/ref=twister_B01M6ZINC9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Say's it's for 2.5"

just buy a bare ssd drive, and get a startech usb 3.1 adapter cable for sata drives

then format the drive to the format you want

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10Gbps-Adapter-Cable-Drives/dp/B00XLAZODE

i have a few of these cables. one for each of my drives that are in each stored in a small ziplock bag with the cable so I can just pick up one of these bags and run out the door. the cable works really nice. when you are using ssd drives, you don't need much protection. just plug the cable into the drive and into your laptop and go.

I went the Clonezilla route with my T470, but since you don't want to bother making a bootable USB and working with images, and don't care that you have to buy a cable, then originally I looked at doing it that way with Samsungs software doing a direct clone, and after a bit of research I found that Startech has the best reviews for these types of cables and one of the few that will support the full speed of the USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports that come with the T470. Here is the cheapest:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10Gbps-Adapter-Cable-Drives/dp/B00XLAZODE/ref=pd_ybh_a_42?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6SD1W38YYB6HEE0G12EK

Startech also has them with USB-C, and fancier ones that do both 2.5 and 3.5 drives, and if you don't care about the speed there is a cheaper USB 3.0 version. You can find these other versions by going to the above URL and scrolling down a bit where you can select what you want.

If you eventually decide to go the image route, you will find Macrium Reflect Free version easier to use than Clonezilla, because in Clonezilla you need to understand Linux type hardware designations and it doesn't have as pretty of a user interface.

Startech sells a 10GBit usb 3.1 cable you can plug into a usb3 or usb 3.1 Type A port then the other end connects to an ssd disk.

i've had good success using one of those cables for general purposes and it cost around $30.

I've used that cable with a samsung 860 evo 500 GB ssd as extra storage for my laptop that only has a 128GB nvme ssd and its been great. Also makes a fantastic giant usb stick :)

The best part since it's a usb cable intended for use with ssd disks reliance on an external power cable is not necessary as a usb 3 and 3.1 ports provide 5v which is exactly the voltage needed for an ssd disk to function.

Consider purchasing one from amazon then you only need an ssd drive to connect to it.

sounds like you want a 2.5 sata to usb.
StarTech.com USB 3.1 (10Gbps) Adapter Cable for 2.5" SATA SSD/HDD Drives - Supports SATA III (6 Gbps) - USB Powered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XLAZODE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_49ObBbS3Q30K4

Simple and cheap for around 10-15 on the lowend. When. you attach the hdd, you should be able to mount it just like a usb. or if you are running linux, mount and use the ntfs type, assuming your dead laptop was running windows.

I've been having rough luck with 128GB thumb drives lately, think I might just settle with a USB3.0 to Sata cable and get a proper SSD.

This cable looks promising- https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00XLAZODE

Right now im thinking of just getting a few of these an some samsung 850 evos and throwing them on a usb hub. seems like the cheapest way to get 500MB/s+ speeds https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10Gbps-Adapter-Cable-Drives/dp/B00XLAZODE?th=1

How about something like this instead? No need for an enclosure perhaps:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10Gbps-Adapter-Cable-Drives/dp/B00XLAZODE/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=SATA+to+USB+Cable&qid=1565235845&s=gateway&sr=8-10

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-SATA-USB-Cable-USB3S2SAT3CB/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=SATA+to+USB+Cable&qid=1565218171&s=gateway&sr=8-3

But I guess if you think an enclosure is better, I'll probably grab this one:https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Enclosure-External-Adapter-Housing/dp/B07D2BHVBD/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=SSD+external+enclosure&qid=1565214839&s=gateway&sr=8-4And just tape over the LED or somethin'

I think enclosures support TRIM while SATA to USB adapters don't but it sounds like no one uses/gives a fuck about TRIM anymore. I imagine both of those solutions should work.

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