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HD interface types - help
Hi All,
I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?). What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?. So for example, this disk: http://www.misco.co.uk/productinform...250GB%20UA.htm looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type (which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC connector (presumably IDE) as well?. I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and Serial connections at the same time?. Thanks in advance, Dave |
#2
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HD interface types - help
David wrote:
Hi All, I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?). What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?. There is some variation in description on various product pages, but Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA) is the distinction you're homing in on. When a drive is cited as ATA-100 or ATA-133, that's PATA. SATA is ssometimes imilarily, but distinctly described as SATA-150. So for example, this disk: http://www.misco.co.uk/productinform...250GB%20UA.htm looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type (which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC connector (presumably IDE) as well?. I don't seen any indication that this drive has a SATA connection of any kind. I see the ribbon connector and a power connector. I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and Serial connections at the same time?. I guess that would be possible, with some sort of switching, but it would be cumbersome. I've never seen it done. |
#3
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HD interface types - help
you can get a little converter for $30-40 so a SATA hdd works with an
IDE cable. |
#4
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HD interface types - help
David wrote:
Hi All, I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?). What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?. So for example, this disk: http://www.misco.co.uk/productinform...250GB%20UA.htm looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type (which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC connector (presumably IDE) as well?. I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and Serial connections at the same time?. Thanks in advance, Dave Protocol conversion, between SATA and PATA, is possible with a conversion module. In fact, both directions are possible (SATA drive on PATA chipset, or PATA drive on SATA chipset). The only limitation on converters, is the level of compatibility. Generally, it is best to stick with the interface that is already on your hardware, whatever it is. This one converts a PATA disk drive, so it can be used with a SATA motherboard. http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA/rh100.htm http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53301 I think this one converts a SATA disk, for use with a PATA (ribbon cable) motherboard. AFAIK, this product only appears on Ebay, and finding performance/compatibility info may be difficult. The chip on this thing, is in fact a bidirectional converter, and changing a config pin on the main chip, changes the direction of conversion. So the chip used on this module, can be used by the manufacturer, to make either kind of conversion dongle. In this case, the dongle is designed for the less common conversion path. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting The use of conversion modules, assumes there is sufficient room behind the drive, for the module to hang out. Space in a lot of desktop cases is limited, so think carefully about where the conversion thing is going to live. Another way to convert drives, is to stick them in external enclosures. You can get enclosures with USB, Firewire, or SATA interfaces. You can get PCI plugin cards with USB, Firewire, or SATA interfaces. There are an endless number of solutions for connecting storage to a computer. Even a NAS is a possibility, connected bia Ethernet. Paul |
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