How to Convert IDE to SATA
Converting IDE to SATA is an easy process, though the final steps can vary a bit depending on the purpose for conversion. The conversion moves smoothly when putting an older drive (hard drive or CD/DVD drive) inside a new PC towe,r or when attaching an IDE hard drive to an external SATA drive reader. This kind of conversion should be avoided, though, if intending to place a converted hard drive in a laptop: Laptop drive bays are small and rarely give enough room to fit a drive plus the adapter.
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Things You'll Need
- IDE to SATA adapter (for 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives, depending on the diameter of your drive)
Instructions
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Attach the IDE-to-SATA adapter to your IDE device, making sure all the pins are covered and not bent out of shape. Ensure the adapter is slid firmly into place.
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Attach the SATA adapter to the SATA cable inside your PC tower or to the external SATA drive reader. The SATA connections are easier to make, but it is still wise to make sure everything is locked in place.
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If your work is within a PC tower, replace the cover of the tower and turn the unit on to check for functionality. If you are working with an external SATA reader, connect the reader to the computer to make sure the computer sees the drive.
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Tips & Warnings
If something doesn't work on your computer, troubleshoot accordingly. For instance, if connecting an older DVD drive to a new computer, be sure the proper software drivers are installed. If connecting an older hard drive, verify the current drive is set as the master, and the older drive is set as the slave.
If connecting older peripherals (such as a DVD drive or hard drive) to a new computer, and the new computer is still within the manufacturer's warranty, take the computer to a certified professional to have the work done. Any work done by non-certified person will void all warranties that apply to the computer.
Avoid trying this kind of conversion with laptops. Laptop drive bays are designed to fit the original hard drive; rarely is there enough room to fit the drive plus the adapter.
