Is the hd bay too tight for older spinning hard drives? - predator helios 300

jimmytwoshoes

I recently ordered a 2020 acer predator helios 300. All I had laying around was a couple of older 2.5 hdd so I decided to install for some temporary storage. Everything works fine when I start the laptop with the back cover loose. Everything also works fine when I do not tighten any of the rear cover screws. As soon as I try to tighten the screws down, the hdd starts making a rubbing sound as if its being crushed. I also tested this problem by pressing down on the laptop while the hdd was working. This happens with both of my older hdd. I double checked the hard drive bay and everything appears to be installed correctly. Did acer design these laptops to only work with ssd? Is this extremely tight fit normal?

Gawain

the height of hdd's can be different -  laptops generally require 7mm whereas many hdd's are thicker. (9.5mm). Sounds to me like the one you've tried is 9.5mm hence its fine until the cover is put back on tightly which'll apply pressure and make the noise (and wear).  its not an ssd or hdd specific type of thing.