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View Full Version : IDE/Sata Converter



yevgeny
11-13-2010, 03:14 AM
Hi there, I was wondering if I could get some help or advice. I have a new sata drive I want to put in my old computer. So i got the converter put it in one of the ide slots on the mobo, connected power to it, plugged the sata cable in but it doesn\'t work so i just assumed you need a sata controller on your board but then what would be the point of the converter. im lost. I recently bought this sata converter here: http://ritmotech.com.au/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=443&osCsid=3cb85aa6af2e7bdddceb156da7f913f2 My pc has these specs: asus P4B800-mx I just need to know do those converters work on boards that only support IDE drives. IF so is the PCI version any different. Thanks.

jkl49
11-13-2010, 04:39 AM
If you're connecting a 2nd IDE drive, I guess it goes without saying to see if you can set the jumpers to 'slave', maybe that could be related to your problem. I'm not sure exactly how the converter works, but I imagine the idea would be that you could connect it to your IDE connection just as you would connect an actual IDE drive. If you're putting in a PCI card, then why wouldn't you just get an SATA card instead and hook it up directly to that? I'm not sure I see the difference. An easier way may have been to get an external sata enclosure, and then just connect the drive as an external hdd. In that case though I would probably avoid the cheaper ones you might find on ebay or something, and get one from a name brand or from a normal retailer.

Detale
11-13-2010, 06:16 AM
I don't think the problem is needing an sata controller on your board. Have you connected power to the card, to the drive, or both? i'd say try combinations of all the above just to be sure. The other option is have you checked in your bios to see if the drive shows up there or not. I do agree however that a simple sata card would be your best bet here. they are pretty cheap as well bud. Another option that has worked quite well for me as an easy swap option is either a cable or "dock" for the HDD. something like these here.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4954/12189169s018768444.jpg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189169&cm_re=sata_to_usb_adapter-_-12-189-169-_-Product)

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2658/17182196ts8933934.jpg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182196)

These both are USB so it's easy peasey man.

Shinzen
11-15-2010, 04:43 PM
Like Detale said go for docking station and there aint any difference in performance either.

yevgeny
11-17-2010, 10:02 AM
Antec MX-1 3.5 SATA HDD External Enclosure, Actively cooled. USB2.0 and eSATA interfaces. Ill buy this tomorrow, those converters are shit. thanks again.

Detale
11-17-2010, 05:54 PM
LOL, "those converters are shit." so now you're an authority on them? If so why did you ask for help here. That antec enclosure is fine but imo it's over priced for what you said you need it for. those "converters" as you called them are just fine for a number of different uses.

yevgeny
11-18-2010, 12:33 AM
its possible they don\\\'t work with all bios especially since mine is from 2002 so that could be the problem. i had a single sata drive connected to this thing i just feel its very frustrating is all. the enclosure you suggested detale is probably what i should have gone with in the first place, ill see if i can find a cheaper one. i like the look of that antec one though. thx. edi: saved some money and bought a vt6241 chipset pci sata. works perfect.

Detale
11-18-2010, 03:49 AM
The more I think about this your best possible bet and cheapest would be to get a SATA-PCI card like this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815102102) for $20 on the egg
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