Computer ? because I am an idiot

**CloneLawman** · 05-24-2010, 10:18 PM

Windows XP would not finish booting up on my old laptop. I believe the system file may be corrupted.

Anyway, I grabbed an IDE to USB converter cable, thinking to hook up my laptop hardrive to copy files off of it. Said cable does NOT come with drivers- says it is hot swappable, etc. So I removed my harddrive, attached the converter and plugged it into a USB port on a different laptop. The Hard drive is powering up and spinning just fine, but I can't seem to get the computer it is now hooked up to to find it. Any thoughts?

**cyfan964** · 05-24-2010, 10:23 PM

I did not understand a word you just said. If you're the idiot then what the hell am I?

**ItsCyence** · 05-24-2010, 10:25 PM

Are the two laptøps different makers? Have you contacted the customer service of the maker of your laptop? That's all I can think of.

**CloneLawman** · 05-24-2010, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan964

I did not understand a word you just said. If you're the idiot then what the hell am I?

Clearly, the problem is my lack of precision in describing the situation.

It's not about you, it's me...

**ItsCyence** · 05-24-2010, 10:28 PM

This is the time when you think "why didn't I take that computer class?"

**HawkFanISUalum** · 05-24-2010, 10:29 PM

CloneLawman--

Can you provide a model number of the IDE to USB converter that you used?

Also, what model laptop are you connecting the old hard drive to?

**CloneLawman** · 05-24-2010, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by HawkFanISUalum

CloneLawman--

Can you provide a model number of the IDE to USB converter that you used?

Also, what model laptop are you connecting the old hard drive to?

Ultra USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive with Power Adapter at TigerDirect.com

That is link to the cable- an Ultra USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA cable I picked up from Tigerdirect.

I have tried hooking up to a T500 Thinkpad which is running XP Pro and to a Dell Inspiron 1525 running Vista.

**mred** · 05-24-2010, 10:39 PM

I assume you are using the included power adapter as well?

EDIT: I see the power adapter is only for 3.5" drives. Could the 2.5" drive not be getting enough power from the USB port? If you have a powered USB hub around (meaning one with an external AC adapter) then I'd run the drive through that to make sure it's getting enough power.

**TykeClone** · 05-24-2010, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by CloneLawman

Windows XP would not finish booting up on my old laptop. I believe the system file may be corrupted.

Anyway, I grabbed an IDE to USB converter cable, thinking to hook up my laptop hardrive to copy files off of it. Said cable does NOT come with drivers- says it is hot swappable, etc. So I removed my harddrive, attached the converter and plugged it into a USB port on a different laptop. The Hard drive is powering up and spinning just fine, but I can't seem to get the computer it is now hooked up to to find it. Any thoughts?

Is the second laptop running xp?

sometimes you need to go in to control panel -> admin tools -> computer management -> disk management to see if the drive is being recognized. Sometimes XP recognizes the drive, but isn't bright enough to assign it a letter (and this can be done from here as well).

**CloneLawman** · 05-24-2010, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by mred

I assume you are using the included power adapter as well?

Good question, but the power adapter is only for 3.5" drives. The one I have hooked up is a 2.5 getting power through the USB cable.

**CloneLawman** · 05-24-2010, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by TykeClone

Is the second laptop running xp?

sometimes you need to go in to control panel -> admin tools -> computer management -> disk management to see if the drive is being recognized. Sometimes XP recognizes the drive, but isn't bright enough to assign it a letter (and this can be done from here as well).

One of the lappies I'm trying is running Xp, the other is running Vista. Thanks. I will check this out.

**mred** · 05-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by CloneLawman

Good question, but the power adapter is only for 3.5" drives. The one I have hooked up is a 2.5 getting power through the USB cable.

I realized that as well. Be sure to read the suggestion in my edited version of that post...

In addition to a powered hub idea, you could also try different USB ports on the laptop. I think sometimes some laptop USB ports are woefully underpowered compared to others even on the same machine. You could also try a desktop if you have one.

**HawkFanISUalum** · 05-25-2010, 10:08 AM

I would agree with other posters about the power issue. Every 2.5" external drive enclosure I've had always came with 2 USB cables. One for power, and one for the actual interface.

This is similar to the one that I have:

CompUSA 2.5" External Hard Drive Enclosure - USB 2.0, One Button Backup at TigerDirect.com

**clonefreek** · 05-25-2010, 10:15 AM

You need to go to the website and download the drivers. Its USB so its going to power up even tho it doesnt have the drivers, thats what it means when it says the cable does not come with the drivers, you gotta download them.