Old laptops with DVD drives have long lost their relevance - optical disks are almost never used, and the space for them is wasted. Meanwhile, many models Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell Latitude or HP ProBook allow you to replace the drive with second HDD/SSD, increasing your storage capacity without purchasing a new device. This modification is especially in demand among gamers, videographers and users working with large files.

The replacement process seems simple: buy an adapter, insert a disk, and you're done. But in practice, nuances arise: from connector incompatibility to problems with disk initialization in the BIOS. In this guide we will look at all stages - from selecting components to setting up a RAID array (if required), and we’ll also tell you how to avoid common errors due to which the new drive is not detected by the system.

Compatibility check: is your laptop eligible for an upgrade?

Not all laptops support replacement DVD drive on HDD/SSD. Main restrictions:

  • 🔧 Drive thickness: standard adapters are designed for 12.7 mm (full size drives). Ultrabooks with drives 9.5 mm require special adapters.
  • 🔌 Connector type: Most laptops need adapters with an interface SATA, but some models (Sony Vaio or MacBook Pro until 2012) use proprietary connectors.
  • 📏 Compartment Dimensions: in compact laptops (Acer Swift, ASUS ZenBook) there may not be enough space for a full-size 2.5" disk.

To check compatibility:

  1. Remove the bottom cover of the laptop and measure the thickness of the DVD drive with a caliper.
  2. Find the drive model (written on the sticker) and check it in iFixit or on the forums.
  3. Make sure there is an option in the BIOS AHCI (for SSD) or IDE (for HDD).
📊 What brand is your laptop?
  • Lenovo
  • HP
  • Dell
  • ASUS
  • Acer
  • Apple
  • Other
⚠️ Attention: Laptops Apple (except MacBook Pro 2009–2012) and some Ultrabook (For example, Dell XPS 13) do not support drive upgrades due to the controllers integrated into the motherboard.

Choosing an adapter and hard drive: what to look for

Adapter (aka sled or caddy) is a key element of the upgrade. Cheap Chinese models often have problems with disk fixation or poor connector contact. Optimal options:

Adapter type Compatibility Pros Cons
Universal (12.7 mm) 90% laptops (Lenovo, HP, Dell) Low price (~500–800 RUR), easy installation May not be suitable for thin laptops
Slim (9.5 mm) Ultrabook (Acer Swift, ASUS UX) Compact, reliable fixation Price from 1200 ₽, limited selection
For MacBook Pro (2009–2012) Only MacBook Pro with drive SuperDrive Perfect fit, support SATA III Price from 2000 ₽, rarely in stock

When choosing HDD/SSD consider:

  • 💾 Capacity: for movies and games take 1–2 TB (For example, Seagate Barracuda or WD Blue). Enough for the system 256–512 GB SSD (Samsung 870 EVO, Crucial MX500).
  • ⚡ Speed: SSD (SATA III) will give an increase of 5–10 times compared to HDD, but is more expensive.
  • 🔄 RAID: if you plan to combine disks into an array, take models of the same series (for example, two WD Red for RAID 1).
💡

Before purchasing an adapter, check reviews on Amazon or AliExpress — users often post photos of compatibility with specific laptop models.

Step-by-step instructions: installing a HDD instead of a DVD drive

To work you will need:

  • ✅ Screwdriver Phillips #0 or T5 (depending on the laptop model).
  • ✅ Plastic spatula (for disassembly without scratches).
  • ✅ Antistatic bracelet (optional, but recommended).
  • ✅ Adapter and new HDD/SSD.

Unplug the laptop and remove the battery (if removable)|

Back up your data to your primary drive|

Prepare your work area (clean desk, good lighting)|

Check that the adapter is the right size for the drive -->

Step 1: Removing the DVD Drive

  1. Turn the laptop over and find the drive mount (usually one screw with a 💿 icon).
  2. Unscrew the screw and gently pull the drive towards you. On some models (HP EliteBook) you must first remove the bottom cover.
  3. Disconnect the cable SATA (do not pull the wires!).

Step 2: Install the adapter

  1. Remove the metal frame (if any) from the drive and attach it to the adapter.
  2. Insert the HDD/SSD into the slide and secure with screws (usually 4 pieces).
  3. Connect the adapter to the connector SATA on the motherboard.

Step 3. Assembly and first launch

  1. Insert the adapter with the disk into the bay instead of the drive and secure it with a screw.
  2. Turn on your laptop and go to BIOS (usually F2, Del or Esc).
  3. Check that the new drive appears in the partition Storage or Boot.
What to do if the disk is not detected?

1. Check the tightness of the cable contact SATA - sometimes reconnecting helps.

2. Update the BIOS to the latest version (download from the laptop manufacturer’s website).

3. If used SSD, turn on the mode AHCI in BIOS (instead of IDE).

4. For MacBook Pro may need a patch Trim Enabler for correct operation of the SSD.

Disk setup in Windows: partitioning, formatting, initialization

After physical installation, the disk needs to be prepared for use:

Step 1. Initialization in Disk Management

  1. Click Win + X → select Disk management.
  2. Find a new drive (marked as Not distributed) and right-click → Initialize disk.
  3. Select section style: GPT (for disks >2 TB or UEFI) or MBR (for older systems).

Step 2. Create partitions

  • 📁 For the system: NTFS, size ~100–200 GB (if SSD).
  • 🎮 For games/files: NTFS or exFAT (if you need compatibility with macOS).
  • 🔄 For RAID: do not format the disk if you are planning an array (configuration in Disk Management → Create a mirror volume).

Step 3. Optimization (for SSD)

  1. Disable defragmentation: Win + R → dfgui.msc → disable for SSD.
  2. Turn on Trim: on the command line (cmd from admin) run: 
    fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0
  3. Transfer swap files and temporary files to the HDD (if you have one).
⚠️ Attention: If you install second disk for the system (For example, Windows 10 on SSD instead Windows 7 on HDD), first disable the old disk either physically or in the BIOS to avoid bootloader conflicts.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even with proper installation, problems may occur:

Problem Possible reason Solution
Disk is not visible in BIOS Poor cable contact or incompatible adapter Reconnect the cable, test the adapter on another laptop
The drive is visible in the BIOS, but not in Windows Not initialized or corrupted Initialize in Disk Management or check chkdsk
Laptop won't turn on after installation Short circuit (ingress of metal shavings) Remove the drive and adapter and check for foreign objects
SSD is slow Mode IDE instead of AHCI Switch mode in BIOS and reinstall Windows

Problem booting Windows after connecting a second drive

If the laptop does not boot or an error appears BOOTMGR is missing:

  1. Go into BIOS and check boot order (Boot Order) - the first one should be the disk with the system.
  2. If you installed a new SSD with Windows, disconnect the old HDD during the first boot.
  3. Use a bootable USB flash drive with Windows PE (For example, Sergei Strelec) to restore the bootloader: 
    bootrec /fixmbr

    bootrec /fixboot
    

    bootrec /scanos
    

    bootrec /rebuildbcd

💡

If your laptop starts to get hotter after installing the SSD, check to see if the adapter is blocking the ventilation holes. On some models (HP Pavilion) the drive is involved in cooling - in this case it is better to use an external SSD via USB 3.0.

Alternative options: when replacing the drive is not practical

In some cases, installing an HDD instead of a DVD drive not justified:

  • 💻 Laptop thinner than 18 mm: adapters for such models are unreliable, and disk space is limited.
  • 🔥 Overheating: in gaming laptops (MSI GT75, ASUS ROG) the drive sometimes serves as part of the cooling system.
  • ⚡ USB 3.2/Thunderbolt: external SSD (Samsung T7) is not inferior in speed to the internal one, but does not require disassembly.
  • 💰 Cost: if the laptop is older than 5 years, it is cheaper to buy a new one with two slots M.2.

What to choose instead of replacing the drive?

Option Pros Cons
External HDD/SSD (USB 3.0) Does not require disassembly, versatility Occupies a port, depends on USB speed
Replacing the main HDD with an SSD Maximum speed increase You lose capacity (if the old HDD was 1 TB+)
Cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) Access from any device Limited speed, volume charge

Optimizing the operation of two disks: RAID, caching, file transfer

If the laptop now has two disks (for example, SSD for system And HDD for files), their work can be optimized:

1. Transferring user folders to HDD

  1. Open Properties folders Documents/Downloads (right click → Properties → tab Location).
  2. Specify the path to the HDD (for example, D:\Users\Documents).
  3. Confirm the transfer of files.

2. Setting up RAID 0 (for speed) or RAID 1 (for reliability)

A RAID array allows you to:

  • 🚀 RAID 0: Combine two drives into one with double the speed (suitable for SSD).
  • 🛡️ RAID 1: Mirror data (suitable for HDD with important information).

To configure:

  1. Go to Disk management → Create a mirror volume (for RAID 1) or Striped Volume (for RAID 0).
  2. Select the disks (they must be the same size!).
  3. Confirm the creation of the array.
⚠️ Attention: RAID 0 does not increase reliability — if one disk fails, the data will be lost! Use only for temporary files (for example, game cache).

3. HDD caching using SSD (Intel Smart Response)

Technology Intel SRT allows you to use the SSD as a cache for the HDD, speeding up the loading of frequently used programs. To do this:

  1. Make sure your motherboard supports Intel RST (check on the manufacturer's website).
  2. Install the driver Intel Rapid Storage Technology.
  3. In Control Panel Intel RST configure caching (recommended cache size is 20–64 GB).
💡

For laptops with Optane Memory (For example, Dell XPS 15) caching is configured automatically - just install the module Optane into slot M.2 and enable the function in BIOS.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing a DVD drive with an HDD/SSD

Can I use an SSD instead of a DVD drive in the 2015 MacBook Pro?

Yes, but only on models up to 2012 (with drive SuperDrive). B MacBook Pro Retina (2012–2015) the drive is integrated into the case, and replacement is technically possible, but requires soldering work and non-standard adapters. An alternative is an external SSD via Thunderbolt 2 (speed up to 10 Gbps).

Will the laptop get hotter after installing the second drive?

Depends on the model. In most cases, the temperature increase is minimal (+2–3°C), but in some laptops (HP Omen, Alienware) the drive participates in air exchange. Check the temperatures in HWMonitor after installation. If the CPU/GPU gets hotter 85°C under load, consider an external SSD.

Can a DVD drive adapter be used as an external HDD box?

Yes, but additional one will be required USB-SATA adapter (For example, ORICO 2129C3). Connect the drive adapter to the connector SATA-to-USB, and the disk will be detected as external. Speed will be limited by USB bandwidth (up to 5 Gbps for USB 3.0).

How to transfer Windows to a new SSD installed instead of a DVD drive?

Use cloning programs:

  1. Macrium Reflect (free version).
  2. Clonezilla (for advanced users).
  3. Samsung Data Migration (if the SSD is from Samsung).

Procedure:

  1. Connect the new SSD via USB-SATA adapter.
  2. Launch the cloning program and select the source (old) and destination (new) drives.
  3. After cloning, disconnect the old disk and boot from the new one.

Which adapters support hot-swap drives?

Function hot swap (hot-swap) is available only in adapters with an additional connector eSATA or USB 3.0 on the back panel. Examples:

  • Delock 41358 (with port USB 3.0).
  • StarTech SAT225U3 (supports UASP to speed up data transfer).

Regular adapters without external ports do not support hot swapping—removing the disk during operation may result in data loss!