Computer Help and Support

matt819

(10,749 posts) Fri Oct 4, 2019, 10:09 AM Oct 2019

Hardware question

I have some SATA hard drives taken from old computers, and I want to see what's on them, to decide whether to save or scrap. And there's one SCSI drive, which gives an idea how hold one of these computers was.

Looking for recommendation for device that will allow me to connect the old internal drives to my new desktop. I've looked around on Amazon, but I'm just not sure whether what I'm looking at will do what I want. I thought all I needed was a cable of some kind, but I've learned that I also need a power source for the drives.

Thanks.

6 replies

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Hardware question (Original Post) matt819 Oct 2019 OP

A computer repair shop may help. SCSI? Wow! That's from the early days of home computers. brush Oct 2019 #1

There are a whole bunch of Hard Drive Docking Station nykym Oct 2019 #2

I hadn't come across that matt819 Oct 2019 #6

A SATA to USB cable will probably do it FBaggins Oct 2019 #3

Agreed on the SATA to USB cable DonaldsRump Oct 2019 #4

If you're accumulating hard drives, you really need to keep one of these around: eppur_se_muova Oct 2019 #5

brush

(57,250 posts)

1. A computer repair shop may help. SCSI? Wow! That's from the early days of home computers.

Reply to matt819 (Original post)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 10:15 AM

Oct 2019

nykym

(3,063 posts)

2. There are a whole bunch of Hard Drive Docking Station

Reply to matt819 (Original post)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 10:25 AM

Oct 2019

Here's on on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Docking-Tccmebius-TCC-S862-US-External-Enclosure/dp/B07LGCKMK7/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAjw29vsBRAuEiwA9s-0BxkPQ2Amw3Bq3fn0eR2Jxy8EV14lqkLmR72x5JKl1_FuCKFXeg80mhoCM4gQAvD_BwE&hvadid=174230931330&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1023496&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=236011597774725130&hvtargid=kwd-70737266&hydadcr=19107_9441145&keywords=hard+drive+reader&qid=1570202635&sr=8-5

matt819

(10,749 posts)

6. I hadn't come across that

Reply to nykym (Reply #2)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 12:32 PM

Oct 2019

Thanks.

FBaggins

(27,512 posts)

3. A SATA to USB cable will probably do it

Reply to matt819 (Original post)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 10:25 AM

Oct 2019

But you could certainly get an external enclosure for about the same price if you want it to look nicer (I'd skip it if they're different size drives and you aren't planning on using them long-term). USB ports on a new computer can handle the power requirements.

The SCSI drive is a different issue and could get expensive (PCI SCSI controller? Are drivers even available in WIN10?). Might be cheaper to take it to a data recovery company if you really need something on that one.

DonaldsRump

(7,715 posts)

4. Agreed on the SATA to USB cable

Reply to FBaggins (Reply #3)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 10:27 AM

Oct 2019

You won't need a power source. It's just like a very large thumb drive. Just plug it in to a USB port.

eppur_se_muova

(37,344 posts)

5. If you're accumulating hard drives, you really need to keep one of these around:

Reply to matt819 (Original post)

Fri Oct 4, 2019, 11:23 AM

Oct 2019

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Drive-To-USB-2-0-Adapter-Cable-For-2-5-3-5-Hard-Drive-Universal-Transfer/223659618745?hash=item341326f1b9:g:-OYAAOSwjhldeF6k

(I'm not endorsing this particular model or merchant, but google for a phrase like "universal hard drive adapter" to see what's available. eBay sells lots of tech for old standards, new and used.)

I have a similar model from NewerTech. You might need a power adapter for the 4-pin Molex power connector, or you can open the computer's case and connect to a Molex adapter on the PSU (if there is one). The one at the link has a SATA power to Molex power adapter, but it's not obvious what the SATA gender is, unless your eyes are better than mine.

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