Member Avatar for Den.

Would I be able to use this adapter to add my old ATA HDD to my new HP computer. I want to be able to transfer my files. Also, if I can use this adapter, will the computer know to boot up from the SATA HDD?

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Serial-ATA-Adapter-SATA2ATA133/dp/B0001MVMPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228285287&sr=1-1

Thanks, Den

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Short checklist and practical notes for anyone adding an older IDE/PATA drive to a newer SATA-only PC.

Start by identifying the drive: 3.5" desktop IDE uses a 40-pin ribbon plus a 4-pin Molex power; 2.5" laptop IDE uses a 44‑pin connector that includes power. Adapter naming is inconsistent — confirm the adapter actively translates the PATA protocol to SATA (look for “bridge chip”, “IDE-to-SATA” or “supports BIOS/OS access”). Simple pin-only converters often won’t work. For one-off file transfers, a powered USB-to-IDE adapter or an external IDE enclosure is usually faster and avoids opening the PC.

Before you connect: power off and earth yourself. Set the IDE drive jumper to Single/Master if it will be the only device on that channel (don’t rely on cable-select unless you know your cable supports it). Make sure the adapter provides the right power (Molex or a 15‑pin SATA power convertor) and align pin‑1 on the ribbon if you ever use the drive on an IDE cable. Mount the drive so it cannot short against the case.

About booting and OS behaviour: treat the old disk as a data disk unless you specifically want to boot that OS. Different hardware (and SATA/AHCI modes) can prevent a Windows installation from booting on new hardware; copying files from the old disk is far more reliable. After attaching the drive, check firmware/UEFI for device presence, then use the OS disk manager (e.g., diskmgmt.msc on Windows) to assign a drive letter and copy files. If the old drive is encrypted (EFS/BitLocker) you’ll need the keys.

Troubleshooting tips: if the drive isn’t seen, re-check power, jumper, and the adapter orientation; try a different SATA port and change SATA mode in firmware to Legacy/IDE temporarily to test. For safety, back up important data first and avoid forcing connectors. Credit to and for steering the original discussion; was able to use the motherboard’s native connector, which is often the simplest outcome.

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Member Avatar for mechbas

Yea, you could but why?
Depends on BIOS capability.

Member Avatar for Den.

Yea, you could but why?
Depends on BIOS capability.

Could you elaborate please?

Member Avatar for mechbas

You didn't note as to laptop or desktop to begin with?

Member Avatar for Den.

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my first post. I want to install the older type HHD (ATA, IDE ?) from my old PC into my new PC so I can access the files.

Member Avatar for mechbas

Wasn't sure what exactly you wanted to do.
If you can make a valid hardware connection then the BIOS on the mobo or a adapter such as or similar to a RAID will provide hardware support.
The OS shouldn't have any prob. either. if win9x or higher sees the new hardware it should load the necessary drivers w/o your assistance.
Method of file xfer etc. is up to you.

Member Avatar for Den.

Thanks for your interesting response. I will highlight the parts that I didn't understand.

If you can make a valid hardware connection then the BIOS on the mobo or a adapter such as or similar to a RAID will provide hardware support.The OS shouldn't have any prob. either. if win9x or higher sees the new hardware it should load the necessary drivers w/o your assistance.
Method of file xfer etc. is up to you.

Also, will the computer continue to boot from it's own HDD? Or, asked another way, how do I ensure that the computer boots from its original HDD?

Member Avatar for Chaky

First of all, this is SATA-to-ATA adapter.. you need ATA-to-SATA, and you need it only if there are no vacant IDE ports available. (2 channels=4 drives).

When you plug the drive in, and if it is propperly set (as SATA it must be set as master) your BIOS should recognize it, given that the SATA port the drive is plugged in isn't disabled and it is set to "auto".

Your BIOS should have Hard drive boot priority settings (not the boot sequence!). That is where you'll make sure that the system doesn't boot from a wrong HD.

Best practice is to set all of the HD configrations on "auto". The draw-back is that it takes few seconds longer to boot.

Member Avatar for mechbas

"Method of file xfer etc. is up to you."
Once you get the Operating System, (W2K, ME, XP) booted to Desktop there are several different ways to read, transfer, manipulate your files.

Member Avatar for Den.

Adapter wasn't needed. It turned out there was a slot for the old HDD ribbon to plug into.

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