Connect old SATA-drive USB-connection

nickozao · 02 Mar 2023

I was given two old hard drives from my dad from his old computers, which he asked if it was possible to extract data on since the old hardware is long gone.

I managed to buy a SATA-USB cable for the purpose and it has worked fine running my old SATA DVD-drive as well as the first of the two HDD drives, however, when trying to connect the second one, it does show up something in the explorer window but nothing more than that.

I am not sure what file system might have been used, if there should be any other software I need to use for reaching the HDD or if it has just gone dead. Thought if Win10 could be creating an issue with this.

Could the drive be tested somehow through the USB connection or would I be better off with the original hardware?

Paul Black · 02 Mar 2023

Hello @nickozao,

As an alternative way to try and extract the data, if it was me, I would try the below which I have successfully used in the past with great success and as an excellent way to do this as it does NOT put any load [ well, minimal ] on the existing HDD/SSD.

Linux Live USB / DVD:

A Linux Live USB/DVD is a good emergency method of retrieving data from an otherwise UN-bootable drive or if you are having other drive difficulties.

Basically . . .

[1] Download the Linux ISO - I always use Linux Mint although there are others available.
[2] Create a Bootable USB/DVD [ media ] using Rufus for example => Rufus.
[3] Boot the media.
[4] Copy the files, folders, videos, music, and pictures etc to an external HDD/SSD or USB.

> Download Linux Mint 20 Ulyana

I hope this helps.

nickozao · 02 Mar 2023

Ah, seems like a method.

Let's see, I'll need to have the USB drive and the bootable USB plugged in, then running the bootable USB and then it will make the HDD accessable...?

Paul Black · 02 Mar 2023

Hello @nickozao,

nickozao said:

Let's see, I'll need to have the USB drive and the bootable USB plugged in, then running the bootable USB and then it will make the HDD accessable...?

Yes, just Boot the USB, and once the Linux OS is loaded [ Do NOT install it ], use the File Explorer to navigate to the appropriate HDD.

jamis · 02 Mar 2023

I had an HDD from a W95 computer and purchased a complete USB enclosure with cable ($30) to mount it in. Plugged right into my W10 USB port and was recognized. Been using it as a file backup device since 2009. I also have a 1 TB ATA HDD from a DVR that I reformatted to NFTS for use as an internal file history drive. It's been so long ago I don't remember the utility I had to download to do the formatting, but I'm sure it can be found by searching for it.

Try3 · 02 Mar 2023

nickozao said:

it does show up something in the explorer window but nothing more than that.

I suggest you post your Disk mgmt diagram to help shed some light on the situation.
How to Post a Screenshot of Disk Management - TenForumsTutorials
Note that most of its detailed instructions are to ensure that useful text can be seen in full in the diagram.
Given your situation, I also suggest you post a second diagram in which you have selected in the View menu, Top, Disk list. You could crop this diagram to avoid needlessly repeating the bottom half of the window.

All the best,
Denis

nickozao · 03 Mar 2023

Paul Black said:

Hello @nickozao,

Yes, just Boot the USB, and once the Linux OS is loaded [ Do NOT install it ], use the File Explorer to navigate to the appropriate HDD.

I made a bootable USB eventually, put the ISO file on the drive using Rufus and booted it through boot menu. Launched Linux in compability mode, but it seem to either have freezed or not recognizing my mouse hardware (USB mouse + touchpad).

So I cant say if it worked or not.

Might as well make sure which position the bracket should be put in as well.

Anyway, I tried finding the drive in disk management, but it does not appear other than an icon like that, 0 bytes.

Wrong bracket position? The cable should work, and I hear the drive is up running when plugged in.

Try3 · 03 Mar 2023

That's not a Sata connector. You already know that.

Best of luck,
Denis

Samuria · 03 Mar 2023

Its a ide drive and the jumper is set to master with a slave if its on its own you may have to set jumper to master or it could be looking for slave

MisterEd · 03 Mar 2023

You should be able to read the contents of that drive if it is still good. That drive is a Western Digital 80GB 3.5-inch IDE hard drive. The USB port by itself cannot provide enough power for it. You must use a USB to IDE adapter which comes with an AC adapter to power the drive.

Here is an old Maxtor 3.5-inch IDE 80GB hard drive that I have plugged into one of these adapters. I can see it fine in Disk Management and read/write data to it in File Explorer. Note I am doing this with my Windows 11 laptop.