trying to install my hdd

[Nab]

hey i just got a 400gb seagate hdd and a hdd enclosure (i have a laptop) as a present, but its a Serial ATA/300 and the enclosure only has an IDE and power source. I pretty much don't know anything about hdd sata/ata/etc.

There is a converter to make the power source fit, but there isn't anything for the IDE, does that mean they are not compatible? if so, how do I get it to work? do i need to get a converter or something?

thanks,
nab

 

[Baked]

You can't. There's no room for adapters in an ext enclosure.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: Baked
You can't. There's no room for adapters in an ext enclosure.

true, there isn't a lot of room but i won't use this hdd as a primary drive only for backup, so if i leave the top of the exclosure off for a while during use it should be okay right?

i was looking for converters on newegg but i keep coming up with the ata to power source one...

-nab

 

[tatteredpotato]

I know they make them for desktops, although i have no idea if one exists for laptops.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: BlameCanada
I know they make them for desktops, although i have no idea if one exists for laptops.

can you send me a link to the one they have for desktops?

 

[tatteredpotato]

Heres one.

They have many more though. Also this is for desktop drives so if it is possible to use, your going to need even more adapters.

 

[Nab]

If I leave the entire contraption open, will it work?

seems like the hdd will plug into the card and the card can plug into the external enclosure..

.....or do you think its better off if i tell my friend to try and return it?

-nab

oh btw, is ata and sata the same thing? (the card says sata and the hdd is ata)

 

[tatteredpotato]

You said Serial ATA, which is referred to as SATA, IDE was called ATA before, but since SATA came out many people call it either IDE, or PATA (parallel ATA)

I just now saw that this is an external drive (that didn't sink in) so this should work, but one thing may give you problems. I know to translate from PATA to SATA the adapter needs power, and the converter i had used a floppy drive power cord. I don't know, but I'd assume you'd need power to do the conversion the other way too. You will probably be better off looking for a new HDD if possible.