Saving data to an older computer

[tim844]

I would like to install Win 7 (replacing the C: drive that died) on a 160 SATA drive that had been the backup for data that was on the dead drive. Now the data needs to be saved some way but my old computer doesn?t have a normal SATA connector except the four open wires on the back of a cheap eSATA card.

My question is, can I just plug the 160 SATA drive into the old computer and expect it to be recognized as any other drive? It looks easy to plug it in backwards since there is no plastic guide. Can plugging it in backwards hurt the drive? Is there better option?

(I can add the hardware details if they are relevant).

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Emulex]

spend $10 on an external usb adapter. will be used many times in your life

 

[Madwand1]

There are eSATA to SATA cables if that's the sort of question you're asking.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Emulex
spend $10 on an external usb adapter. will be used many times in your life

Excellent suggestion, although it may be a bit more than $10. Everybody should have one of these IDE/SATA-to-USB adapters.

Adapters

 

[Zepper]

Hard to tell what you mean by "four open wires on the back of a cheap...". Got pix or link to card. You need both power and data connections. If you have them, then yes it is easy. Remember, the SATA connector on internal drives is different than ESATA, but there are simple cable adapters. Internal SATA connections have little hooks on one end of the connector tongue while true eSATA connections lack the little hook (i.e. the tongue is straight). Either way, you may have to check your BIOS settings to be sure it was detected correctly.

.bh.