Can I put my old hard drive back into my Acer Nitro 5?

I have had my Acer Nitro 5 since 2018, and recently made the decision to get the HD drive upgraded to an SSD drive, as it would take nearly 15-20 mins for my laptop to simply turn on.

However, I know nothing about laptops and took it to a computer repair place to get it upgraded. They informed me that my old HD drive had malfunctioned and so they couldn't transfer any of the data off it to the new drive. They informed me that if I was to get it fixed and the data transferred it would cost me in the realm of £400.

The HD drive did run and I could access files whilst it was still in the laptop, albeit extremely slowly. My question is would I be able to reinstall my old HD drive back into my laptop (as Acer Nitro 5 has 2 slots for both and SSD and a HD drive) to access my old files whilst it still runs off the SSD drive? I have so many files that I desperately don't want to lose access to, mostly photos and art and all of my university degree work.

I hope this is possible! Many thanks,

Frost

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Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/726085/can-i-put-my-old-hard-drive-back-into-my-acer-nitro-5

Hi, better to get an external USB HDD case for $10 at any PC shop, mount the old HDD in the USB case and try to download your data to another PC. To use the 2.5" HDD/SSD bay/slot in your Nitro5 I recommend getting the 2.5" Sata-3 Samsung 870 Evo V-NAND 2TB SSD and not using a mechanical HDD anymore, certainly don't install a bad HDD.

Axxo

Yes, you can likely put your old hard drive back into your Acer Nitro 5, but it depends on your specific model and what you mean by "old hard drive". Many Acer Nitro 5 models come with two storage slots: one for a 2.5-inch SATA drive (HDD or SSD) and another for an M.2 NVMe SSD. If your old drive is a 2.5-inch SATA drive, you should be able to install it in the designated bay. However, if it's an older type of drive or a different form factor, it might not be compatible.

To clarify, consider these points:
Type of drive:
Identify if your old drive is a 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD, or if it's an older, incompatible type.
Second storage slot:
Ensure your Acer Nitro 5 model has a second storage slot, typically for a 2.5-inch drive.
Mounting:
You might need mounting accessories (screws, brackets) which may have come with your laptop or can be purchased separately.
Data:
If you're reusing an old drive, make sure to back up any important data before installing it in the Nitro 5.
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