Adding old PATA drives to new puter...

[thefatkid]

I recently purchased a new computer that has a SATA drive and only one IDE connector on MOBO (which is comsumed by 2 DVD drives). I want to add my old PATA drives (40GB and 160GB) to my new computer. I assume that I will need to buy a PCI ATA133 controller card but I have a few questions first. Can I use those ports on the card for adding floppy drives (i.e. 3.5", zipdrive) or can they only be used for HDD? I want to make sure before I buy something I can use it for what I want.

So in summary I want to move my old drive (2xHDD, 3.5", zip drive) to my new computer a will need more IDE connectors. What do I buy and will it work? Thanks in advance.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Many / most PCI IDE controllers only work consistently for HDs. ATA/100 or ATA/133 is fine. You can often get Promise brand cards for around $20 shipped in FS/T fourm since many people got them bundled with retail hard drives.

Floppy drives don't use IDE, they use a dfferent port & cable on the motherboard.

 

[thefatkid]

I realized the floppy thing right after I wrote it. But I thought that most only work on HDD. Does anyone know of ones that work with all storage devices?

 

[thefatkid]

I have seen the PATA to SATA convertors on eBay. Does anyone have any experience wtih them good or bad?

 

[LTC8K6]

Your mobo doesn't have a floppy drive connector either, and only one IDE connector? What board is it?

You can always hook most of those other drives up via USB as well like the zip and the floppy.

 

[thefatkid]

I does have a floppy connector. I just sapced on that one. It has 4 SATA connectors and only one IDE. The USB option can that be doen internally or only externally?

The Syba IDE to SATA covertors look nice but don't know anyone with any experience with them. They claim any IDE to SATA (for only $10). It seems to good to be true.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-998-001&depa=0

Let me know what you think.