2.5 inch drive in 3.5 inch enclosure?

[Clanger]

I have an external 3.5 inch SATA HD enclosure (M9-DX2) that I'd like to mount a 2.5 inch laptop HD into. The makers of the enclosure say the connectors and firmware will work, but the drive can't be physically secured because of the hole positions and moving it/turning it upside down could do damage.

Any suggestions how I could do this? E.g. do I need to worry about vibrations/oscillations building up with disk running if it's not screwed down? Could I just pack some foam/rubber between the sides of the drive and the enclosure to hold it (or something)?

[Funkstar]

Something like this is what you need:
Maplin > 2.5 to 3.5 HDD Kit

You can get them all over the place.

[Clanger]

That says it's for IDE drives only. Or is that just about the connector?

Also, would the external dimensions of that necessarily fit *inside* this enclosure? I haven't taken the drive out the dead computer yet, but assumed it might be a tight fit inside the enclosure anyway(?)

[Funkstar]

thats just the connector. It's the metal plate you are after.

It is designed to allow you to mount a 2.5" drive in the space of a 3.5" drive, why would they make it bigger than a 3.5" drive

EDIT: After having a look at the M9-DX2, I would say that plate would work just fine. Although you may well find it a lot cheaper than at Maplin.

[Clanger]

Thanks for the reply.

OK. I just wasn't sure how tight a fit it is in an internal 3.5 space (I've never dabbled with hardware before) and I've seen a vid of someone fitting a drive in an enclosure and it was a very tight fit if I remember. I had actually found that plate googling.

I'd RMA'd the enclosure soon as it arrived (I thought it was for 2.5), but I'll get one of those plates and cancel that.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

[Funkstar]

No problem.

There will be significantly more space in there with a 2.5" drive and adapter plate than if you were using a full blown 3.5" drive.