Must connect the male bit to the female bit! IDEs and SATAs!

August 10, 2006 6:18 PM

Is there such a thing as an IDE to SATA converter?

I have an SATA hard drive and a IDE-to-USB enclosure. I'd like to keep the enclosure and not buy another because I am a cheap (and I really like it). Can I buy a cheap, small (so it fits inside the enclosure!) IDE-SATA converter/adapter? Do such things exist? Is it even technically possible?

Thanks!

posted by bkudria to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

Why, yes.
posted by jellicle at 6:24 PM on August 10, 2006

Too bad all of those convert the wrong direction. People want to use their old IDE drives on their new SATA computer, but not so many the opposite.
posted by smackfu at 6:31 PM on August 10, 2006

smackfu: "Too bad all of those convert the wrong direction. People want to use their old IDE drives on their new SATA computer, but not so many the opposite."

Not true at all. This was one of the top hits.
posted by kcm at 6:35 PM on August 10, 2006

These converters exist, yes, but have a close look at the internal geometry of your enclosure. It has been my experience that there is very little room inside most ide enclosures, and my bet is you'll spend more trying to get a converter than just getting the right enclosure in the first place.

Newegg has a really excellent selection of external enclosures, I can't vouch for any of the SATA flavor, but I've had excellent luck with the PATA (IDE) version of the PPA USB aluminum enclosures. They're aluminum so they look great and make excellent contact with the drive, helping to disperse heat without the use of a fan.

Just my 2 cents.
posted by crunchyk9 at 6:55 PM on August 10, 2006

You can get them in the thin size. But I still guess that this will cause it not to fit in most enclosures.

I don't know why you think an enclosure is expensive, for about $10 to $15 more than the cost of a converter that may not work you can just get a SATA enclosure.
posted by Rhomboid at 7:51 PM on August 10, 2006

Hell there is even USB2->IDE (2.5" and 3.5" and SATA 3-in-1) converters. Co-worker just bought one to fiddle with something :)
posted by lundman at 8:36 PM on August 10, 2006

I agree with Rhomboid. I was in a similar situation, and just bought the SATA enclosure. Fewer parts to worry about dying.
posted by mkultra at 8:40 PM on August 10, 2006

I've had excellent luck with the PATA (IDE) version of the PPA USB aluminum enclosures

How long have you run that enclosure? My experience is that *all* of my 3.5" enclosures have failed because of excessive heat build up after a few years. Whereas similar 5.25" enclosures holding 3.5" drives have not (yet) failed.
posted by meehawl at 5:45 AM on August 11, 2006

I spent $20 earlier this year on a cable that has both 3.5"/2.5" IDE and SATA connectors and on the other side is USB2. The unit I bought is similar to this in design and price.
posted by thejoshu at 8:23 AM on August 11, 2006