Where to get 2.5" USB 2.0 SATA drive case?

I posted earlier a message about my Vostro 1500 which suddenly won't start. I called Dell and a local repair shop, and both indicate it's most likely the motherboard, and will cost anywhere from $300-$500 to fix. Just not worth it - I'll get me a new lighter laptop instead. However, read where you can get a hard drive case to get the data off the hard drive and to use as a backup drive. I found this one at Tiger Direct. Would this work?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1086960&CatId=2781

Thanks.

 

I think you're going to need one that supports SATA drives. The one you linked to is PATA only. I'd get something like this, and be covered either way: http://www.sunbeamtech.com/PRODUCTS/SIUA/SIUA.html. (This is the one I have. It has had mixed reviews, and appears to have been discontinued at a number of retailers, but it gives you an idea.)

 

That enclosure has a IDE/PATA connector (44 pins).

I deduce from this Vostro 1500 review where the HDD model name ends with "S" that the HDD is more likely SATA (which has a blade connector).

Can you check your HDD? If it is SATA then choose from here. You might want to consider one with USB / eSATA, which would be useful if your next computer (eg E6400 / E6500) has eSATA. Check the stock in Dell Outlet.

John

 

The vostro 1500 uses a SATA Hard Drive.

What is the computer doing? Can you ge ta picture or video of it?

 

If your new laptop has an eSATA -USB port then I would suggest getting one of these.

http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=19&chapter=0

from newmodeus. I had an old gateway laptop with a bad motherboard and I needed to retrieve my data. I think the one I got came with a little rubber case, and the eSATA-USB cable. With shipping I think it was like 24 bucks.

Its pretty much plug and play, takes about 2 seconds to swap the HD out of the old laptop, and less time to plug in. Plus, I think eSATA is faster then a normal usb plug.

 

eSATA runs at the full speed of the HDD. USB 2.0 tops out at around 25MB/s.

John

 

Yes it is an SATA. I realized that after I made my original post with the link. My Vostro just won't start up. The power light comes on very faintly for a couple seconds then goes out, but nothing happens. Hard to understand, because I haven't used it that much, just light internet use and some picture editing. I just can't believe laptops are this fragile.

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll probably go with one of the enclosures from Tiger Direct.