Chris Wilson Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I am trying to add another SATA disk to my PC to shift some files I want to keep onto a big drive before I format and reinstall. I have an old motherboard with only 2 on board SATA ports and have 2 SATA drives on them in a striped raid. Pete tells me that this Magic Bridge will allow me to connect a SATA drive via the USB ports. The PC running 2000 sees something has been connected, but sees it as a CD drive and can't access it as a disk, and in Control Panel the hardware list shows it with a yellow exclamation mark. Reading the instructions with the Magic Bridge it says that you can only connect a SATA device via an E-SATA port, not via the USB port. Pete says it will work nonetheless, he's done it before. It ain't working for me though Has anyone managed this? I have been messing around for weeks trying to get this damned SATA drive to be seen, what with an add on serial SATA card, and now this gizmo, but haven't managed it yet. I will get a good old IDE device next time Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I've got an external hard drive unit, that can take either SATA or traditional IDE. Plugs into a usb port, works a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 One of these - http://www.midlandcomputers.com/default.asp?area=prodview&path=939&prodid=7518 Maybe I'm wrong and it will only connect to E-Sata - can't see the point of it then though? Next thing to try - IDE to SATA adapter to plug into the IDE on the Magic Bridge!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I use a similar thing for IDE, and have done for a few years. I use it probably every other day on different drives every time and it does what it's supposed to. The police computer forensics units use a similar but slightly more expensive modular unit that incorporates write protection & SCSI, firewire etc. I can't see any reason why the one you have wouldn't be working and had been thinking about getting one myself as I use a cardbus SATA card at the moment. edit: actually, that site says pretty much what you said Chris: IDE & 2.5" IDE to USB Sata To E-Sata and Please note:- you will require a spare USB port to connect IDE devices and a spare E-SATA Port to connect SATA devices. So it bridges Sata to e-SATA. I've never touched e-SATA and had always assumed it was standard sata but with a different connector possibly incorporating power (i.e. so you could just get an e_sata to SATA cable). This suggests otherwise, else like Pete says what would be the point of this bridge device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 You want this one: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=550155 So do I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 29, 2007 Author Share Posted November 29, 2007 http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6805&page=2 Oh dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Chris, if you just want to copy the data to a spare drive, you are welcome to take one of my external carriers which will take a SATA drive and just give you a USB plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 29, 2007 Author Share Posted November 29, 2007 Gav: That's very kind, if you believe it will work I'd love to take you up it. How would we address the logistics of this though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Gav: That's very kind, if you believe it will work I'd love to take you up it. How would we address the logistics of this though? PM me your address and I'll post it up tomorrow for you.. I got it when I was moving data round on my new machines and it is now just sat there, so you are welcome to it for nawt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I asked Paul in the showroom about them and his immediately says "Oh, they only work on E-SATA" I swear I used one of these on Rogers PC to connect to my Vista Business computer at work. I can drop one of these off with Jane tonight? http://www.midlandcomputers.com/prod-6135.htm This WILL work. It says so on the back and everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 30, 2007 Author Share Posted November 30, 2007 Gav, that's very kind of you, but if Pete has the right thing I can swap the one I have for it I guess? If I get stuck I'll get back to, and i will remeber your kind offer and try and reciprocate Pete, if you can drop it in at Jane's place that would be great, I can then see if I can sort this damned machine out with a fresh install soon. Very kind of you, Sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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