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Twon · Last edited by Twon on Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:12 pm; edited 1 time in total

So I wanted to change out a hard drive in my desktop. I have done it before and it was no problem. I just connected the cables the same and it all worked out. I got my new one today and I noticed that they don't connect the same...???? The one on the left is my old one. The one on the right is the one I am trying to replace it with. Is this even going to be possible?

dmorris68 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

The new drive is a SATA drive. If you don't have a SATA controller, you need a PATA drive (also goes by the semi-misnomer of IDE drive).

SATA is current technology, PATA is old school. If your PC was built within the last few years, it should be SATA-capable. If returning the drive is an issue, you can buy add-on PCI SATA controller cards for $20 or less.

gafdpc · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

There are two main types of hard drive interfaces: PATA (IDE) and SATA. Most new computers support both types, but older ones may only support PATA. SATA is newer and faster (with some SATA connections capable of 3 Gbps throughput also your hard drive will never even come close to that).

The drive on the left (with a lot of spaced out pins) is PATA and the drive on the right is SATA. I'm going to assume that your old one is PATA. You need to check whether there is a SATA plug on your motherboard (if your old one is SATA, your motherboard will almost certainly have an IDE bus).

The new drive should have come with appropriate cables, but if not you may need to pick some up. If the drive is incompatble, I think they might have converters, but they're a waste of money/space and you'd be much better off just getting a compatible drive.

edit: dmo is quick to the kill

Twon · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

can I get something like that at best buy?

gafdpc · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8552363&st=sata+pci&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1188561245880

dmorris68 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

I've used PATA drive to SATA controller converters before, they worked fine. I haven't gone the other way, though. That was a common approach back when SATA drives were new and expensive, and people like me had a large stock of PATA drives to use in newer machines. Now I have probably a 50/50 mix and never plan to buy another PATA drive. My current gaming rig is 100% SATA, even the DVD burner. I only use PATA drives in my secondary machines, and only when I don't have a spare SATA drive handy.

First I'd try to confirm if your mobo support SATA, and if not, try to exchange the drive. Failing that, look into either upgrading your computer or going the cheap route and buying a PCI SATA card. Another approach might be to keep your PATA drive as your primary boot drive, and buy an inexpensive external USB enclosure for the new SATA drive to use for external storage.

Twon · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject:

Well I can't return it because there was a no return policy unless it is defective. So... I think maybe the external option would be the best seeing as how I don't know squat about the guts of a computer. Thanks for all you help.

JennyWren · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

This is justification for buying a new mobo/chip. Succumb.....

manOFice · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject:

yeah two different drives you got there, heh. If you don't want to spend a lot of money just get that controller and it will take care of you.

TFOAF · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

hehehhehe · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

Shine a flashlight on your mobo and see if you have ports that look like these (those connectors with L-shape inside):

Those are SATA ports.

JennyWren · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

The ports are usually red, I think.

TFOAF, I can justify getting out the old screwdriver and random parts box to build a new system ANYDAY. Hey look, I bought the wrong colour of LED fan, hum, guess I need some new ram, while I'm at it, maybe a new video card, what the heck, NEW SYSTEM! Whee!

And this is why I have a room full of computers, and an annoyed boyfriend.

tylerc · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:03 am Post subject:

Twon · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject:

So I got the HD case. I have it all hooked up to a USB. Windows located the driver and installed it. When I check my hardware out, it sees to be recognized, just says not initialized. No biggie right??? except, I can't locate the drive through my computer. It has not been assigned a letter or anything. I can't find it anywhere. Suggestions?

gafdpc · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

You need to format the drive. Right click on 'My Computer', click manage. Storage > Disk management. Right click on the drive (the new one) and click format. A quick format is fine in almost all cases,

Twon · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:40 am Post subject:

ok it says it's unallocated. It doesn't give me the option to initialize it.

Twon · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:53 am Post subject:

I think I got it... I'll see.

bballp6699 · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

Awwwww, Twon is learning...

Twon · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:46 am Post subject:

Is there any issue with it over heating and starting a fire? It's kind of warm. I turn it off when not in use because I am paranoid.

tylerc · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:48 am Post subject:

I noticed when I first had my external hard drive, it would get really hot, but I kept it running. It doesn't run nearly as hot now.

dmorris68 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

Hard drives get very hot, it's normal, but any cooling you can provide will likely lengthen the life of the drive. I tend to stay away from plastic enclosures that don't have a fan, preferring aluminum enclosures or those with active cooling. Some, like the Western Digital MyBooks, will turn themselves on/off when the computer starts/shuts down, but only with the USB and maybe Firewire connections, not with eSATA unfortunately.

tylerc · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:07 am Post subject:

I forgot to mention my enclosure is aluminum, I bought one off NewEgg and recommend using them for anything computer-related.

CollidgeGraduit · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:10 am Post subject:

My neighbor said his hard drive runs hot too, lol