I'd quite like to know the answer to this question too as I want to replace the 4200rpm drive in my D800 with a Hitachi 7k60 whilst keeping the old drive for backups etc.  Also, does anyone know if there are there any performance benefits/losses from using an external USB2 hardisk enclosure instead of the D/Bay?

Thanks,

Richard

ANDPE03, RABlack,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
You should be able to purchase the D/Bay External Media Bay Module from Dell Spare Parts.
Dell Spare Parts Phone# 800-372-3355 Ext:6-9937
Part#...........Description:
P1516...........D-MOD External Media Bay Housing

Since both the D/bay and an external USB 2.0 enclosure would use USB 2.0 speeds, there would be
no difference in performance.

Karell, thanks for the reply, but I should have mentioned I'm in the UK - will the part number be the same?

Richard

Rablack,

That I do not know for sure, I figure they would be, but it could be different.
I would contact UK sales support directly and tell them what you need.
Just tell them you want the D/Bay external media module for the system, and they should know what you are talking about.

I'm a little confused...does the following connect via the USB port?

D/Bay External Media Bay for Dell Latitude D-Family Notebooks 

In trying to determine this I've seen it said it connects to a D/port, and I've seen it said that it connects to a USB port (In a review).  I have a D600 and am hoping this connects to the USB port.  I bought a 2nd hard drive for the modular bay, and would like to put the modular CD-drive in this D/Bay External Media Bay whilst I have the 2nd hard drive in the modular bay.

Thanks!

Nathman,

The D/Bay requires a special powered USB port to operate properly.
Yes, the D/Bay does connected to a USB port, but this is a modified USB port.
On systems that support the D/Bay module, they have a modified USB port to provide the extra power the D/Bay requires to run.
When not using the D/Bay module, you can use that modified USB port as a normal USB port.
If your system does not support the D/Bay module natively, then you can use the D/Bay module while docked to your D/Port Port Replicator. The D/Port has a modified USB port to allow systems that do not have this USB port to use the D/Bay Module. So in short, you can only use the D/Bay module if your system has a D/Bay Port, or you have a D/Port Port Replicator which also has one of these ports.
If you want to see what this port looks like, you can see it here.
The Latitude D600 does not have a D/Bay port, so the only way you would be able to use the D/Bay is if you also have
a D/Port Port Replicator to connect it to.

Ok, thanks - that sure clarifies it...sure wish I bought the Latitude with the D/port...the subtleties of it all...so I'll go after the port replicator now...you've been very helpful!