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    IDE laptop drive to SATA--Can it be done?

    Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by kevalin, Jul 10, 2010.

  1. kevalin

    kevalin Notebook Guru

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    Hi, again, everyone...

    Does anyone know if it is possible to convert my Gateway 6023GP's hard drive, which is IDE, to SATA?

    I have a 160GB SATA hard drive lying about (actually, it's the hard drive from a 2008 WD Passport that I've "outgrown"). I found an IDE to SATA hard drive adapter for laptops here for around $20.00; it will supposedly make using this leftover hard drive possible in this computer. That would make me happy, because I'd just as soon put the $60 or so it would take to buy a new IDE hard drive of that size toward trading out the computer's eyeball-stressing matte screen for a glossy one.

    Let me just add that I'm not overly worried about whether the external drive is "fast" enough or not: this computer is essentially a word processor/portable movie player for my 83 year-old father that also allows me to occasionally play some older games that simply will not run on my my P-7805u FX's Win7 x64 OS. Still, it'd be nice to expand the laptop's rather paltry 40GB capacity, and I enjoy playing Frankenstein with it when I get the chance.

    So I'm wondering, has anyone has ever used an adapter like this, and will it actually work?
     
    kevalin, Jul 10, 2010
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  2. andy A

    andy A Notebook Consultant

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    More than likely NO, as there is basically just enough room in laptop HD bays to fit the stock HD in. Add the adapter and it will add additional length and possibly additional height to the HD assembly.

    Most of those adapters are designed for using laptop drives in a desktop machine.
     
    andy A, Jul 10, 2010
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  3. kevalin

    kevalin Notebook Guru

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    This one, based on the photos on the site, appears to be built to fit on the end of the HDD in a way that makes it specifically for a laptop... but I am chary about not being able to return it if the blasted thing proves not to fit. I've sent a support question to the company about it (they supposedly have a pretty good reputation), asking about that.

    We'll see what we shall see... and I'll keep you all updated if I go ahead, lose my mind, :eek2: and order it.
     
    kevalin, Jul 10, 2010
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  4. andy A

    andy A Notebook Consultant

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    Kevalin just to fore warn in the description of the part you listed it states "(will not fit into most laptops)".

    cheers
     
    andy A, Jul 10, 2010
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  5. Necrosan

    Necrosan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Won't fit don't waste your money.

    Did you even read your own link?

     
    Necrosan, Jul 10, 2010
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  6. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Can get a fast, large IDE HDD based on 160GB-per-platter tech for a reasonable price so don't need to bother with sata-to-pata adapters.

    $55 160GB Samsung HM160HC 2.5" IDE HDD
    $90 320GB WD3200BEVE 2.5" IDE HDD
     
    User Retired 2, Jul 10, 2010
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  7. kevalin

    kevalin Notebook Guru

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    Admittedly...no. I was so busy looking at the pretty pictures that my brain turned off and went into non-reading mode. Which is why it was obviously a very good idea to ask about the adapter here.

    All-righty, then. end of that money-saving dream. I'll see to upgrading my IDE computer's hard drive the old-fashioned way: by buying one.

    Thanks, Nando, for the links; I will look into them. I appreciate everyone's input muchly.
     
    kevalin, Jul 10, 2010
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