Tower ECT1250, drive bay

Hello, 

Your only chance is reaching out to the Dell parts department. If you don`t have the bracket , you also don`t have the power cable for the SSD/HDD/ODD.

Look at this topic, it will include all the Dell part number you need and also inclodes some workarounds for mounting and connecting devices.

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/dell-pro-desktops/tower-ect1250-help-adding-extra-hard-drive-need-satapwr-cable/680cbfbecf0d62741ca491c5?commentId=68291c19bf9b2b076d109833

I too bought an ECT1250 expecting drive expansion would be simple. After much research, I found that the correct Dell parts come as a kit (3.5 inch drive caddy, power and SATA cables, cable management clip, and screws) as https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-35hdd-caddy-bracket-with-cable/apd/575-bcsk/storagedrives-media

I also purchased a Samsung 2TB SSD on Amazon although the price has since increased a lot maybe around $55 and delivery took longer than the Dell kit. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QB93S6R?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_t_fed_asin_title&th=1

Also anticipating that the Dell kit wouldn't accommodate a 2.5" SSD, I also purchased a 2.5 inch drive caddy - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016498CK0?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_t_fed_asin_title&th=1

The following Dell video does a great job of showing how to install everything except they lef tout a very crucial part of removing and discarding a corner bracket on the upper left front side where the new Dell caddy first hooks into before swinging into place. https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-us/videos/videoplayer/how-to-install-the-hard-drive-and-drive-bay/6377059871112

Once correct orientation and alignment of the SSD in the 2.5 inch caddy and then 2.5 inch caddy into the Dell caddy and then Dell caddy into the frame, everything pretty much fell into place. The bios recognized the new drive without any changes. The only thing needed to do was under Disk Management was to allocate the drive partitions and format which took maybe a minute to do. So far everything is working great.

Thank you.... saw one on ebay...too $$ Also ditched MS Running Linux..... 

I have the same problem with a Dell ECT1250 missing the drive bay.  Prior to making my purchase, I confirmed with the Dell Virtual Assistant that the ECT1250 came with the hardware & cables for an HDD.  I even have a transcript showing that the ECT1250 is supposed to come with the necessary hardware & cable for connecting an HDD.  Unfortunately, the computer showed up without either.  Dell said they would issue a credit, but I would rather have the drive bay and cable

Hi all,

Here’s a related discussion for reference: Tower ECT1250, help adding extra hard drive, need SATA_PWR Cable

It looks like they have the part available for purchase on the support page now: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-35-hdd-caddy-bracket-with-cable/apd/575-bcsk/storage-drives-media#compatibility_section

Hope this helps 😁

I did go ahead with the purchase and it worked perfectly. It included the bracket and both SATA cables, and instructions on how to install. One thing worth noting is that the storage matrix for the ECT1250 indicates it will only support up to a 2TB capacity drive. It may support larger, but I didn't want to risk it!