Transfer Old HD to New Computer

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by SaGA, Aug 29, 2009.

  1. SaGA

    SaGA Private E-2

    Those IDE/SATA to USB cables seem like a good solution, I have a dead computer and wish to transfer my stuff to a new computer.

    My HDD is IDE, I have seen reviews on new egg on those cables and seem like they are cheap and power supplies are often bad, some reported the power supply fried their HDs.

    I would not like for that to happen, so I have a question.

    Wouldnt it be better to power the old HD via the molex on the new PC?
     
    SaGA, Aug 29, 2009
    #1
  2. hrlow2

    hrlow2 MajorGeek

    There are some smaller round IDE cables you can get instead of the wide flat ones to increase air circulation.
    Could someone have installed one of those already?
     
    hrlow2, Aug 29, 2009
    #2
  3. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    I prefer not to open up a 2nd computer if I want to grab files from a hd taken from another computer.. The enclosures I purchased and the IDE to USB adapter I bought all have their own power supply so I don't have to depend on the USB port to supply the power. Powered enclosures and adapters might cost more, but for me, I wanted to be sure I had the power I needed.
     
    plodr, Aug 31, 2009
    #3
  4. SaGA

    SaGA Private E-2

    Yeah but the usb to ide cables also bring their own power supply and that seems to be the issue, the power supplies are not well made, some that have had these products report fried HDs due to the cheap power supply or the power supply simply dead after a few uses.

    Thats why I mentioned powering the old HD via the PC molex, just to be safe.

    What enclosure do you recommend? one that wouldnt mess up my HD because I have no other backup of it
     
    SaGA, Aug 31, 2009
    #4
  5. rickyt28

    rickyt28 Private E-2

    I had no luck with an IDE to USB cable when trying to retrieve data from my old HDD so i just installed it inside the pc as a slave drive, retrived all my data, and then formatted it. Took no time at all :cool

    edit: and it was easy! thanks to the guys on this forum. This was only last week, and i'd never properly opened up my pc before this.
     
    rickyt28, Aug 31, 2009
    #5
  6. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    I have two external cases, a BYTECC and maybe a SYBA
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817186103
    Mine are both 5.25 so I could put in either a hard drive or a burner. I currently have burners in both units. I have used these many times to burn an image on my computers that only have a CD-ROM drive. I've yet to trash a hard drive. The units also have fans to keep the drives enclosed in them cool.

    I have an adapter like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822999161 though it might not be that brand.
    The last time I used it in May, I was able to attach the hd from someone's dead XP computer to his new Vista computer and copy all his files (not programs nor OS) from the old hd to the new.

    Clearly my experiences do not match what the previous two posters mentioned.

    Of course if the old hd is completely dead, connecting it by USB cable might not get it seen on the new computer.
     
    plodr, Aug 31, 2009
    #6

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