Connecting a SATA drive to my computer

rmg1

Hi all
I've just been given a SATA hard-drive and can't seem to find the correct slot/cable to connect it to. The mother board I have (according to SiSoft Sandra) is a Micro-Star MS-7061.
Done a Google search but couldn't make any sense of the results.

Any help would be appreciated.

Craigoldfield

rmg1 wrote: »

Hi all
I've just been given a SATA hard-drive and can't seem to find the correct slot/cable to connect it to. The mother board I have (according to SiSoft Sandra) is a Micro-Star MS-7061.
Done a Google search but couldn't make any sense of the results.

Any help would be appreciated.

Go here
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=manual&maincat_no=1&prod_no=589

This links to the manual for that mainboard, should give you all the info you need.

SJames_3

You need to get a cable that looks like this.

http://www.gshop.com.au/images/sata_cable.jpg

And connect it to a connector on the motherboard which looks like this, although it may be a different colour, and there may be two rather than four of them. Connect the other end to the back of the hard drive.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASRock/939SLI32-eSATA2/images/sata.jpg

You also need to connect it to your PSU with a cable like this.

http://eshop.macsales.com/images/Items/sata/sata15pin.jpg

If you haven't got one on your PSU, that means you only have molex connectors and will need a molex to SATA adaptor, which can be found cheap all over eBay and they look like this.

http://sierra-cables.com/SATA/Images/SATA-Power-Cable-1.jpg

Then install your motherboard's SATA drivers if you're using Windows XP or older.

Hope that makes some kind of sense. :rolleyes:

rmg1

OK - looking at the layout on page 1 (according to number on the page), I have two SATA ports just above the battery.

Does this mean I can just connect up a SATA HDD and go or do I have to do something else?

And how do I know if the drive I have is compatible?

::edit:: Don't you just hate it when posts get crossed!!!!

OK - got all the required cables and it all looks like it's going to wire up properly.
Do I need to go into BIOS or Computer Management and do anything?

exup

if its wired up correctly and seated in the case - then just power up the PC and it should recognise it.

Ice_2

unless there is a fault on MB then it should just be plug n play...did you know that SATA is alot faster than IDE ATA 100 is IDE and SATA 300 is SATA so 200 times faster than ATA 100 IDE
and that Esata is alot faster than USB 2.0

rmg1

Hi guys

Thanks for all your responses - just one small problem.
My MB doesn't appear t have the SATA slots as shown in the manual.
According to SiSoft Sandra, the mainboard details are:-
Mainboard
Manufacturer : MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : MS-7061
System BIOS : 07/28/2004-KM266-8237-6A6LYM4BC-00
Chipset : VIA KT400/A, KT600

This probably makes a difference, so any updates will be gratefully appreciated.

SJames_3

Should be here.



Yeah, my MSPaint skills rule. :cool:

rmg1

Thanks for the update - I'll give it a go over the weekend and let you know how I get on.

rmg1

Hi guys

I don't appear to have those ports as shown by SJames.
I've just a blank space with bits of solder that look like they're blocking holes.
Just rigged it up by using the USB adapter and still no joy.

Anyone any ideas?

::edit::
Would something like this do instead?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SATA-PCI-Card_W0QQitemZ170276467863QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170276467863&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

rmg1

OK - don't know if this is connected, but now I've disconnected all the wiring for the SATA drive, I appear to have another problem.
My 7GB (yes, 7) backup drive has suddenly decided to fail with no prior warning.
I've checked all the cables, etc and the drive feels like it's spinning when power is on.

Anyone any ideas?