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View Full Version : PATA to SATA Help

reded
03-26-12, 07:25 PM
I just had a new PC built using a SATA board with AMD processor yada yada...

My problem is I need to use the HD from my old computer, which I know is good, in the new one to retreive some information from it. My old HD had PATA connectors whereas my current board only has SATA connectors. I bough a bi-directional converter thinking that I could easily get it working but to no avail. The second drive is never recognized in either BIOS or Windows. I'm no expert by any means. I would simply like a step by step tutorial on how this can be done. If anyone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated. The second drive is a Seagate Barracuda, primary is Hitachi. Thanks.
nightelph
03-26-12, 08:05 PM
Hi there. Can you share a link to the adapter you bought? Also what motherboard model? There may be a setting or two in there to enable the use of older PATA drives.
reded
03-26-12, 08:29 PM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4143846&CatId=468

The board is a Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P
redduc900
03-27-12, 11:53 AM
Did you have power going to both the adapter and the drive, and is the drive set to Cable Select, Master, or Slave?
reded
03-27-12, 12:32 PM
Yes, both were powered. The adapter even has an LED that lights up when powered. I have tried to jumper the drive in all 3 positions with no success. Thanks for the replies so far folks.
redduc900
03-27-12, 12:38 PM
Years ago I used this type of adapter (although made by Asus)...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232004

... the problem with it being that it wasn't a tight fit in the drive, and would sometimes lose communication w/ the BIOS. My guess is that the adapter you're using is having the same sort of issue.
reded
03-27-12, 01:08 PM
Years ago I used this type of adapter (although made by Asus)...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232004

... the problem with it being that it wasn't a tight fit in the drive, and would sometimes lose communication w/ the BIOS. My guess is that the adapter you're using is having the same sort of issue.

Actually it fits just as tight as a cable end would. It seems to be of good quality so I don't think its losing the connection.
ati
03-28-12, 12:28 AM
If you don't need to use it with the new computer but just need files off it; I always use a usb dock that will read any harddrive they also make ones that just plug in without being a dock. Will enable you to use your old hardrive as an external for backups and stuff too.
reded
03-28-12, 07:10 AM
I was unaware that such an item existed. Thanks for the info, is there a brand that you would recommend?
ati
03-28-12, 11:58 AM
I use a vantec one http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=vantec+ide+to+sata+converter&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12441587628830419623&sa=X&ei=0kJzT4zuE6SMiAKL6YSuCw&ved=0CGoQ8wIwAw#ps-sellers

Maybe theres better ones out there now? Possibly usb 3 compatible but I havent looked into this in a long time.
reded
03-28-12, 12:01 PM
Thanks a ton! I just ordered one, hopefully it works as advertised.
reded
04-20-12, 01:31 PM
Just a follow up in case anyone else is searching for an answer. ati, the USB dock worked perfectly. I was able to transfer all of the files that I needed off of the old drive, my hats off to you, thanks!