Replacing hard drive - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

essendoubleop · 11-20-2008, 03:23 PM

I've got an old hard drive that is just about maxed out at 100 GB. I don't know much about the details of it, except it's time for an upgrade. I want to keep all of my music files and word documents. I know a SATA cable is required to copy the hard drive, but I'd much prefer to transfer only certain files. Is this possible? I don't know much about the hardware of computers as if you couldn't tell...

Wyodiver33 · 11-20-2008, 03:46 PM

Your old drive is probably IDE, not SATA. So you either need an adapter or an external USB enclosure. I recommend the enclosure. About 30 USD on Newegg. You install the old drive in the enclosure and then just plug it into a USB 2.0 port. Not as fast as IDE or SATA but fine for archiving pics, music, etc. Hope this helps.

OCT · 11-20-2008, 04:12 PM

I've used Wyodiver33's approach countless times, and it's certainly the best. It gives you easy access to all your previous files, plus you can continue to use the old hard drive for backups or transfers once it's been cleaned out.

Installing your old hard drive in a USB enclosure isn't too hard; there are only two plugs to be connected, and they're quite different so they can't be confused with each other.
If your old drive has a connector to a ribbon cable with 80 pins, it's IDE, if not and it has a smaller plug it's SATA. Make sure you get the correct enclosure type.

Wyodiver33 · 11-20-2008, 05:25 PM

OCT, thanks for clarifying. I forgot he had said he didn't know much about computers. Would have sucked if he had purchased the wrong spec enclosure.

snowy · 11-20-2008, 06:04 PM

I've installed an IDE drive into an external closure. It wasn't too difficult. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Just don't laugh too hard at the bad Engrish instructions that may come with it.

11-20-2008, 03:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
essendoubleop Psycho	Replacing hard drive I've got an old hard drive that is just about maxed out at 100 GB. I don't know much about the details of it, except it's time for an upgrade. I want to keep all of my music files and word documents. I know a SATA cable is required to copy the hard drive, but I'd much prefer to transfer only certain files. Is this possible? I don't know much about the hardware of computers as if you couldn't tell...

11-20-2008, 03:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	Your old drive is probably IDE, not SATA. So you either need an adapter or an external USB enclosure. I recommend the enclosure. About 30 USD on Newegg. You install the old drive in the enclosure and then just plug it into a USB 2.0 port. Not as fast as IDE or SATA but fine for archiving pics, music, etc. Hope this helps. __________________ I like stuff.

11-20-2008, 05:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	OCT, thanks for clarifying. I forgot he had said he didn't know much about computers. Would have sucked if he had purchased the wrong spec enclosure. __________________ I like stuff.

11-20-2008, 06:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I've installed an IDE drive into an external closure. It wasn't too difficult. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Just don't laugh too hard at the bad Engrish instructions that may come with it. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

11-20-2008, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
OCT Upright Location: Australia	I've used Wyodiver33's approach countless times, and it's certainly the best. It gives you easy access to all your previous files, plus you can continue to use the old hard drive for backups or transfers once it's been cleaned out. Installing your old hard drive in a USB enclosure isn't too hard; there are only two plugs to be connected, and they're quite different so they can't be confused with each other. If your old drive has a connector to a ribbon cable with 80 pins, it's IDE, if not and it has a smaller plug it's SATA. Make sure you get the correct enclosure type.