Remove external HD from case

[MikeMTL]

Hi. I have a Toshiba Canvio External 1TB HD which uses a USB 3.0 Micro B connector. From my experience, this is the worst connector ever invented. I barely touch the cable and it disconnects the HD. It's practically useless unless I have my laptop sitting on a table where the HD won't get bothered and is resting on a flat surface and even then it will randomly disconnect. Buying a new HD and copying everything over is out of the question because I can barely keep the HD connected long enough to copy a 400mb file.

Anyway, is it possible to remove this HD from the case and put it into something else that uses a more solid connector (USB mini-b perhaps?) or will I find that when I crack open the case, the connector is integral to the HD itself? Will putting it into an external enclosure with a better connector be possible? Can this be done without forcing it to require external power?

Basically: Can I remove the disk from an external HD and put it into an external enclosure and retain the portability of the drive?

Also, is there a risk of data loss?

Thanks. And sorry for being so long winded.

[pashdej]

My experience is that you can remove drives from cases and use an adapter to access the data (multi-format adapter) or put the drive into a another FW or USB 2 case (FW800 best) - you'll probably find that the drive is a straight forward SATA drive, all new cases and adaptors use this connection.
Opening the case, if it uses screws not welded plastic won't hurt anything (except warranty - and this exercise is going to do that anyway) so go ahead.
pashdej