HD interface types - help

  • Thread starter Thread starter David
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David

Hi All,
I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the
interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon
cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?).
What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?.

So for example, this disk:

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinfor...arracuda 7200.10 Hard Disk Drive 250GB UA.htm

looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type
(which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC
connector (presumably IDE) as well?. I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and
Serial connections at the same time?.

Thanks in advance,
Dave
 
David said:
Hi All,
I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the
interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon
cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?).
What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?.
Click to expand...

There is some variation in description on various product pages, but
Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA) is the distinction you're
homing in on. When a drive is cited as ATA-100 or ATA-133, that's PATA.
SATA is ssometimes imilarily, but distinctly described as SATA-150.
So for example, this disk:

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinfor...arracuda 7200.10 Hard Disk Drive 250GB UA.htm

looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type
(which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC
connector (presumably IDE) as well?.
Click to expand...

I don't seen any indication that this drive has a SATA connection of any
kind. I see the ribbon connector and a power connector.
I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and
Serial connections at the same time?.
Click to expand...

I guess that would be possible, with some sort of switching, but it
would be cumbersome. I've never seen it done.
 
There is some variation in description on various product pages, but
Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA) is the distinction you're
homing in on. When a drive is cited as ATA-100 or ATA-133, that's PATA.
SATA is ssometimes imilarily, but distinctly described as SATA-150.


I don't seen any indication that this drive has a SATA connection of any
kind. I see the ribbon connector and a power connector.
Click to expand...


It's a PATA Drive...here's another link with a better picture:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=174216
 
David said:
Hi All,
I want to buy a new harddisk but I'm having troubles understanding the
interface terminology. Basically, my PC has one old disk with an IDE ribbon
cable connector and one new disc with a serial connector (SATA?).
What are the correct 'terms' for these interface types?.

So for example, this disk:

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinfor...arracuda 7200.10 Hard Disk Drive 250GB UA.htm

looks like a serial one from the pitcure and quotes an ATA interface type
(which I had assumed was the new serial variety) but says it has a 40pin IDC
connector (presumably IDE) as well?. I'm confused. Can HDs have IDE and
Serial connections at the same time?.

Thanks in advance,
Dave
Click to expand...

Protocol conversion, between SATA and PATA, is possible with a conversion
module. In fact, both directions are possible (SATA drive on PATA chipset,
or PATA drive on SATA chipset). The only limitation on converters, is
the level of compatibility. Generally, it is best to stick with the
interface that is already on your hardware, whatever it is.

This one converts a PATA disk drive, so it can be used with a SATA motherboard.

http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA/rh100.htm
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53301

I think this one converts a SATA disk, for use with a PATA (ribbon cable)
motherboard. AFAIK, this product only appears on Ebay, and finding
performance/compatibility info may be difficult. The chip on this
thing, is in fact a bidirectional converter, and changing a config
pin on the main chip, changes the direction of conversion. So the
chip used on this module, can be used by the manufacturer, to make
either kind of conversion dongle. In this case, the dongle is designed
for the less common conversion path.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&item=200001152885#ebayphotohosting

The use of conversion modules, assumes there is sufficient room
behind the drive, for the module to hang out. Space in a lot of
desktop cases is limited, so think carefully about where the
conversion thing is going to live.

Another way to convert drives, is to stick them in external
enclosures. You can get enclosures with USB, Firewire, or
SATA interfaces. You can get PCI plugin cards with USB, Firewire,
or SATA interfaces. There are an endless number of solutions for
connecting storage to a computer. Even a NAS is a possibility,
connected bia Ethernet.

Paul
 
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