USB to IDE Converter - What do I need?

First time poster here - I know just enough about computers to be really dangerous and so I am here seeking advice.

I understand that I can use internal hard drives as storage for data, pictures and video. I have several questions that I would really appreciate answers for if someone feels moved to share their knowledge. I am running XP SP3 on a desktop...

1) Is using an old internal hard drive that has been removed from a computer a good way in your opinion to store data and what are the pros and cons of doing this?

2) What exactly do I need as far as a USB - to IDE plug goes?

3) I have read where external hard drives can be pretty delicate and are more prone to failure than an internal hard drive. This makes sense to me as the internal hard drive stores the information on a disc.

4) What steps should I take if moving data from my computer to a plugged in hard drive from another computer?

Thanks in advance for reading my post and for tolerating my questions that to a seasoned veteran of computers may seem kind of silly.

 

Welcome to Major Geeks. Answering your questions in order...

1) It's OK so long as you test the drive first (Disk Doctor, a utility included in Advanced System Care Free, is an easy way to do this). You will also need to reformat the drive, but only AFTER you have saved any data from it you need.

2) An IDE to USB device is normally an external connection (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119152&ignorebbr=1) or an enclosure that turns the internal drive into an external one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182154&ignorebbr=1). For internal mounting there are IDE to SATA adapters (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812186078). If you go with an internal IDE to SATA, be sure you have an open SATA connection on your motherboard to support it.

3) If you drop a hard drive (internal or external) it will likely get damaged. Otherwise, there isn't much difference.

4) You will have to search for the data and copy/paste (or drag and drop it) to the new drive. Make a separate folder on the new drive than sort it later (this will be easier). Copy files and/or folders containing files (music, video, pictures and documents) only. Installed programs (such as MS-Office) must be freshly installed on the new PC using your license code. Do not erase or reformat the old drive until you are sure everything you want to save has been copied.

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you - your response helps a lot. What would you recommend for an IDE to USB converter? What exactly do I need to purchase? Also, when I connect my computer to the hard drive that will be used as a storage device, will I be able to see what - is anything - is still on that hard drive?

I ask the last question because I have several retired computers that I upgraded from over the years and two of them do not work any more. I am hoping that the hard drives are still OK and if they are, I'd like to see what is on them - old music files, pictures, emails, etc. that I saved over the years, etc. and save them before reformatting the hard drive.

 

If you are going to use these hard drives as external storage drives, I recommend a case, which will have all the necessary connectors included. Something like these.

If you just want to hook them up temporarily to scavenge files and format them before reusing them, this will work.