How: Connect 3.5" SATA HDD to 2.5" bay? Some Adapter?

How: Connect 3.5" SATA HDD to 2.5" bay? Some Adapter?

Typically people want to connect/ install their 2.5" HDDs into 3.5" Adapters.

Now the "pin connectors are the same size"

I'd like to connect a 3.5" HDD to 2.5" into my Thinkpad - Either SATA or Ultrabay Dock Connector.

I dont want it physically installed inside (physically impossible). I'd just like to connect it direct for certain diagnostics I'd like to do.

I know USB enclosure / Dock (USB to SATA bridge) is an option. But, I am wondering if there's some way to go DIRECT.

Thoughts? I can imagine if there is some kind of ribbon + card connector that could extend out the Pins from the 3.5" HDD to be insertable/ connectable to the 2.5" Sata Ports.

I can POWER it from OUTSIDE using the power adapter from a USB to SATA/IDE Cable/Adaptor I have.

 

Well, all you'd need is a female to male SATA cable if such a thing exists then a power source for the drive.

And... http://www.amazon.com/SATA-Male-Extension-Cable-inches/dp/B002P6QIIA/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_2_0

 

Yes, you need an extension cord for the data, and an external source for the power as its 12v not 5v which the laptop provides.

You can also use the SATA extension cable to connect a 2.5" drive to your DVD drive bay with an external power source.

 

Hmm.. Ah! I have these cables. Did not realize.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

I have this kit - http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B001OORMVQ

I guess the smaller group of pins is the DATA part of the disk. Here I can attach the RED SATA cable that would go inside the machine for DATA connection. Right?

And the larger group of pins would connect to a Power Source.

If this is correct, then I am guessing it would be easier to do inside the Ultrabay Dock with the HDD Caddy (have one) (replacing the Optical Drive).

Thoughts?

Add: I am guessing it has to be a Male to Female extension cable?
Add: I realized it needs both DATA & POWER extension MALE-FEMALE to bring BOTH the connections out from the Laptop to the Desktop HDD and to the Power Source.

Thanks. Sorry for troubling you guys. Now, any suggestions on good source to buy this online is welcome. I am googling anyways.

 

Will this be a main system drive or an external backup drive?

If you're lucky enough to have a laptop that features an express card port (assuming this is a laptop due to mention of a 2.5 drive bay) why not go eSATA with an eSATA case for your 3.5 drive. You can maintain SATA II speeds.

I've recently done just that myself, due to USB2 being too slow.

Although that doesn't tackle "connecting a 3.5 to a 2.5.." it is a viable alternative and should save you a lot of trouble. PLUS the external drive case comes with its own power supply... they run about $25US at the cheapest. eSata Express Cards run from $1US to $20US on ebay.

Hope that helps.

 

Esata? What about USB 3.0? Like, not many new laptops have expresscard or esata. I think USB 3.0 is a better way to go.

 

Yeah, sounds nice, but since he wanted to connect via SATA, eSata was the best option I could think while staying closest to SATA connection he wanted. With eSata he will only need a cable to connect it to a bare drive and an inexpensive express card; investment into a USB3 he will not only need a cable and an express card, but something that converts SATA to USB3 (external case or so). BUT at least the USB3 is backwards compatible to 2?

I may be interested in trying to go through the CD Port on one of my older laptops, just to play around... not a bad idea.

I have one of those USB3 adapters too, but haven't transferred large files to see how well it works compared to SATA.

I use SATA for Hard drive testing too.

It's a shame the express card port isn't in any consumer level laptops (you need a professional laptop now) I had to drop a few thousand on a new laptop just so it was compatible with some of my music equipment.

I read it was because of cost cutting for the manufactures.

Happy experimenting!

 

This is the issue. Its an X61T with USB 2.0.

There are doubts about its so called CARD SLOT as to whether its a True Express slot / PCMCIA and whether it will support full speeds of the Bus.

I have looked up one of those AKE Express Card with USB 3.0 & eSATA cards and since the Ebay and other sellers do not ship to my current location, I have to wait for it. Even when I do get it, it would be interesting to see how it actually works/ supports over what kind of connection.

From what I hear the HDD Caddy inserted into the Ultrabay Dock is some sort of SATA / to PATA (IDE) bridge.

So, for now this seems like the only option unless I can skillfully plug into the primary HDD Bay on the X61T.