How to Identify IDE Drives

IDE drives are computer hard drives that use an interface known as Integrated Drive Electronics to connect to the motherboard. IDE drives can be identified either by pulling up information about the drive while the computer is on or by physically opening the computer and inspecting the drive itself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver(s)

Check the Drive Using Device Manager

1. Click "Start," then "Control Panel."

2. Double-click "Administrative Tools," then double-click "Computer Management."

3. Click "Device Manager."

4. Find "Disk Drives" in the list and click the plus (+) symbol to expand a list of your drives. Your IDE drives and any other disk drives will be listed. Right-click on a drive and select "Properties" for more information, such as driver version.

Physical Identification

5. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cable.

6. Use a screwdriver to remove both sides of the computer's case. There should be a few screws on the back holding them on.

7. Locate the IDE hard drive. The hard drive will look like a metal box mounted in a metallic housing. It will have a ribbon-like cord coming from the back of it that is plugged into the motherboard.

8. Unplug the IDE cable and power cable from the hard drive.

9. Use a screwdriver to take out the mounting screws on either side of the drive so that it can slide out of the housing.

10. Remove the hard drive from the housing and inspect the labels for identifying information. It should list its manufacturer, model and other vital information.

11. Reinstall the hard drive by sliding it back into place, putting the screws back in and plugging the two cables back in the appropriate slots.

12. Put the sides of the computer case back on and plug the power cord back in.

Tips & Warnings

• IDE hard drives connect to the motherboard with a large ribbon-like cord, while SATA drives connect with much smaller cords, which are often red. Internal IDE hard drives can be used as makeshift external drives using a USB-to-IDE adapter cable. This is a useful way to access data on old drives and use them as backups.