Universal Hard Drive Adapter?

[Mr Bob]

I'm looking for one of those all in one adapters that allow me to turn any type of hard drive into USB.

Laptop drives, IDE, sata, etc.. Would be nice if it supports SD/micro SD cards as well.

Any suggestions? Maybe something like this: http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adaptv2.php

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

I have something like that...although not quite as nice, and it works great.

 

[corkyg]

That's about as good as you will get for PATA/IDE drives. For SATA, there are easy to use docking stations such as the Vantec, but PATA/IDE drives don't lend themselves to such a dock because to the high probablility of pin damage in the 40-pin connector.

 

[Mr Bob]

That may be the one I go with then, unless someone else has another suggestion..

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: corkyg
For SATA, there are easy to use docking stations such as the Vantec, but PATA/IDE drives don't lend themselves to such a dock because to the high probablility of pin damage in the 40-pin connector.

I always figured it was because there was no "standard" location for data and power connectors on IDE drives. But I've never bothered to look closely, so I could be wrong.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

Mr. Bob,

That looks 99% identical to the Vantec adapter I have. Only difference is the LEDs and the location of the connector. Same functionality.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16812232002

hey it's even got FREE SHIPPING plus a free 6ft. USB extension cable right now

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: corkyg
For SATA, there are easy to use docking stations such as the Vantec, but PATA/IDE drives don't lend themselves to such a dock because to the high probablility of pin damage in the 40-pin connector.

I always figured it was because there was no "standard" location for data and power connectors on IDE drives. But I've never bothered to look closely, so I could be wrong.

You are correct. There used to be differences in the location of the IDE connector relative to the back of the drive between mfgs.

 

[Blain]

minchitech... Stop

 

[Zap]

That looks 99% identical to the Vantec adapter I have.

We have that Vantec at work and it does the job.

You kind of have to beware of really cheap ones, especially off-brand units. They tend to get a lot of negative reviews (such as on Newegg). It seems that often the included power adapter stops working or doesn't give out enough juice. I have one like that - the AC adapter is this tiny wall wart like a Nokia phone charger and it is a bit too weak to consistently spin up 7200RPM drives (which work fine elsewhere).