Windows 10 v2004 64bit:I have the hard drive from my old desktop computer and would like to
transfer some data to my present desktop.I purchased a converter unit and set it up as instructed,
when I connect to the pc via the usb cable, I get the sound that it`s been connected but nothing
appears on the screen although the old hard drive is spinning.Does this mean that the old hard drive
isn`t recognised?
Not necessarily, But it may mean that it's partition(s) have not been assigned a drive letter. It needs a drive letter before it can be seen in File Explorer.
Open Disk Management. If the drive and it's partitions appear there then it's working OK. Right-click on a partition in Disk Management to assign a drive letter.
Once you get it up and running if its ntfs then you wont have rights on some folders as they will be owned by the old user you will need to take ownership to be able to get data off
Thanks for the replies,I opened Disk Management but it showed up as "Disk 1 removable E no media.as hopefully
can be seen in the screenshot (if it worked ok) does this mean there is no data onthe disk?
Yes it`s powering up and running,but I`m wondering if I purchased the wrong type
of converter as it tranforms the power to 12 volts when originaly it would have been 240 volts
mains lead,but I can`t find a converter that supplies a 240 volt connector.
If this is a standard SATA hard drive (either 2.5" or 3.5") you may not need a converter to get at your files. You can connect the drive directly to your desktop's SATA port and access the data. (Your System Specs say this is a desktop).
Turn the computer off, then install the hard drive with one of the spare SATA power connectors and and extra SATA data cable.
Note that you do not necessarily need to install the drive in a hard disk bay. It can sit propped up on the counter if the cables reach.
Terry,
This certainly sounds like a power issue
- The computer can see that a drive is attached,
- but there isn't enough power to work with it.
What is this 'convertor'?
- If you bought it online, perhaps you could both give its name & give a link to the product page so we can see its description.
- I would expect any 'convertor' to have a USB cable connection to the computer and a power connection [that would often be a mains plug with a transformer].
- - What does yours have?
- - What was the setting up to which you refer?
-- You say it was from a desktop computer. So it is a big lump about an inch thick and abut the size of a paperback? [Rather than being about a centimetre thick and about the size of three shortbread fingers side-by-side]
- No hard disk ever takes 240V.
- Identifying the size of the hard drive and the 'convertor' you've bought will help to solve the mystery.
In the hope of moving things along swiftly, here's a convertor i have.
- The lump in the middle is what connects to the hard drive.
- The plug-transformer, in the upper-right, is what I plug in to the mains
- The USB connection in the lower-left is what I plug into the computer.
Generally, have to make sure I plug in to the mains before I connect the thing to the computer. If I forget then I just disconnect and start again.
Denis
A point about the 2.5" versus 3.5" HDDs: the 2.5" HDDs and SSDs as used in Notebooks require 5V DC while the 3.5" as used in Desktops require both 5V DC and 12V DC. The dual voltage requirement is why the external cases need their own power supply. Haven't seen a 3.5" SSD yet. I also have some 2.5" cases for PATA drives that have 43 pins for power and data that include a USB Y-cable, one leg for data and power and the other leg for additional power.
When I traveled a few times to Europe I got the 240V to 120V adapter to use in charging my phone. Some power supplies used in Desktops have a switch to change between 240V AC and 120V AC depending upon the country they are in. Converting from AC input to DC input requires a different type converter.
Last edited by Berton; 07 Sep 2020 at 12:05.
The adapter i bought is a YIY USB3 to SATA/IDE from amazon(on page 2).The hard drive is a Seagate 80gig.
It connects to the hard drive with the 40 pin connector with the mains lead into a 12v socket on the adapter and
a 12v four wire connector from the adapter to the main plug on the hard drive.Unfortunately I don`t know anything about
SATA port,power connectors or data cables but I`ll see what I can sort out.Thanks again all for the help.
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