Advice needed please with hard drive.

Happy_Bunny_6

I've lost my original post which has triggered this question, so have started again.

I have taken my old ata hard drive out of my main computer, and I want to buy a "sleeve" to put it in, so I can connect via usb to my laptop, so I can recover the files from it before I reformat.

I have looked on ebuyer, which is where I usually buy from, but have given up trying to sort out what I want, too many mentions of ide etc
Could someone possibly help me out with a link to a specific one, cheap as possible

Thank you

espresso

This case here is for a 3.5" IDE drive.

Happy_Bunny_6

Thank you, but can I just check, does the 3.5 inch refer to the size of the whole hard drive? I've left it at home, but I don't think it's much smaller than an old vhs tape.

espresso wrote: »

This case here is for a 3.5" IDE drive.

iviv

If its from a desktop then 99.9% chance its 3.5" (yes, its refering to the size). The only other size you'll really find are 2.5" which are used in laptops.

espresso

Happy_Bunny wrote: »

Thank you, but can I just check, does the 3.5 inch refer to the size of the whole hard drive? I've left it at home, but I don't think it's much smaller than an old vhs tape.

Yes a 3.5" hard drive is actually approx 4" wide. If it came from a desk top PC it would be a 3.5" drive. Laptops use 2.5" drives which are actually about 2.75" width.

Happy_Bunny_6

Thank you very much, I appreciate the help, ordering now..:j

Avoriaz

espresso wrote: »

Yes a 3.5" hard drive is actually approx 4" wide. If it came from a desk top PC it would be a 3.5" drive. Laptops use 2.5" drives which are actually about 2.75" width.

I have always assumed that the size refers to the diameter of the disk platters and not to the size of the case.

I might be wrong.

espresso

Avoriaz wrote: »

I have always assumed that the size refers to the diameter of the disk platters and not to the size of the case.

It does, which is why a 3.5" disk platter needs a case of about 4".

I might be wrong.

No spot on!

......................

Happy_Bunny_6

Heck! back already...

I've just ordered that, but then It occured to me, there must be a cable to connect it to the laptop with.
I was given what someone called a "transfer" cable which I seem to think had a usb connector at either end, is this by any chance the one I need?

Avoriaz

My caddy uses a USB cable.

It has the standard largish flat plug at the computer end and the smallest plug at the caddy end.

I think that is normal but you might find a caddy using the intermediate size.

I think that there are three different USB termination plug styles. Just make sure you have the correct combination.

Happy_Bunny_6

I've got the sleeve and my hard drive is in it, connected it to my laptop and it's made a noise and lit up nicely.
I've installed it and on "my computer" it's the E drive I assume, but when I try to open it, it says "not accessible, error performing in page operation"
I have restarted the laptop, but nothing changes.

Any advice appreciated.....