Hard Drive Check

Over the last few years I have collected a number of WD and Maxtor hard drives. These vary with both Sata and IDE connections from 200 to 800 Gig capacity. My OS is Windows 10 with USB 2 & 3 connectors. Can anyone recommend an external caddie with USB connections which will read both versions and allow me sight of all the HD's contents.

 

I use a docking station, like this (I just use a sata one,though)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tccmebius-...6&s=gateway&sprefix=hard+drive,aps,160&sr=8-5

 

Many thanks. I will have a look at it.

 

Docking stations are great - I have one and use it frequently. But to test and see what's on a bunch of different drives, I have and like using one of these adapters.

 

Link's not working.

 

Hmmm, pretty sure I checked it.

Let's try again: Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA/IDE HD Converter.

Okay that seems to work. Thanks Eldon.

I note baklogic included an Amazon UK link. Mine is from the US. I don't know where the OP is from.

 

Many thanks, the link worked fine. I will try one.

 

That was just an example - I have a similar one, and I find it safer, as the hard drives are not so easily damaged, being firmly held in the docking station.

 

Right.

This does not make sense to me. I have two different docking stations here and neither hold the drives in very firmly. Why would they? Docking stations are designed to allow quick and easy insertion and removal of drives.

In fact, I just did a quick test with my Thermaltake docking station. I turned it upside down and with a tiny wiggle, the drive slid out. A similar test with the adapter and the drive remained dangling and attached to the cables.

I don't see one type being more safe than the other. If you carelessly knock either one off your desk, both will go crashing to the floor.

I have both types. I like both types equally.

 

I used both, and MY preference is the docking station, -I can be careless, and have been with the danglers, but not with the dock -
Otherwise I tend to use external enclosures - Everyone to their own..

 

I don't like enclosures. Most have inadequate cooling. Those with fans have noisy fans. And I hate fan noise. I consider enclosures more or less permanent solutions. And in those cases, I would rather install the drive inside the computer.

 

Thanks for all your observations and comments. I have taken them all on board and will try later..