Notebook HDD 2.5 inch adaptor cable...

[mmp121]

I am going to be purchasing a 20-40GB HDD to replace the 6GB HDD that I currently have in my laptop. I would like to do a direct clone copy of the original drive to the new one I purchase in the near future. I was hoping to do this on my main PC since the laptop only has one ATA connection on it.

Anyhow, I presume I will need a cable to allow me to connect the original notebook drive to the PC to image it and then to restore the image on the new notebook drive.

I can't seem to find (online) any store that sells such a cable. I guess while I'm at it I would also need an adaptor to power the notebook drives as well. So if anyone has any suggestions as to a store that specializes in such adaptors/cables I would be VERY grateful.

Ideally I would like a cable that lets me hook up 2 2.5" notebook drives to the PC so I can do the clone in one fell swoop w/o having to image the drive first, but beggars can't be choosers.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions / recommendations.

[GNEP]

Should be able to buy the adaptor fairly cheap (presume it's IDE?) - search for "adaptor" rather than "cable" at your preferred online supplier. Alternatively, a solution that might be useful for more than this one job would be an external USB 2.5" HDD casing - should be able to find those online as well.

[schmosef]

I use both IDE adapters and external 2.5" HDD drive enclosures that hook up via USB.

Either solution would work.

[Claymonkey]

I've used adapters like the below item tons of times. They work great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812203012

This is a good toolbox item

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812156101

It does both kinds of drives through usb. If you are doing a laptop drive the usb cable provides the power needed.

[mmp121]

Thanks Claymonkey, much appreciated!

@GNEP
I never thought of looking for an adaptor. I kept looking for converters, and was not having much luck. Thanks for the pointer.

Might not be a bad idea to get an external 2.5" HDD enclosure to make some use of the old 6GB drive. I'm going to go the adapter route for now, as it is probably the fastest (transfer speed wise).

Thanks again guys for your quick replies. Now, I just gotta figure out which drive to buy....

[VJ]

Before you buy, check to make sure that the bios of the laptops supports drives over 32 GB!

My PentiumII didn't, I had to set a capacity limitor jumper on the drive, effectively limiting the 40 GB drive to 32 GB. Dunno what happens if the hdd has no capacity limitor though...


Jörg

[mmp121]

Thanks for the warning! I'll definately have to look into it. The laptop is an old Dell Inspiron 7500 with an Intel PIII-500/600Mhz CPU. I have the latest BIOS available from Dell installed, but I'll have to post or search their forums for a limit if any in the BIOS.

[VJ]

In my case, it was a Shuttle BX mainboard with a PII-450.
Here is a reference to the issue:

http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/bios/sizeGB315.html

(it only seems to mention the issue for Award biosses though)


Jörg

[The PIT]

usbgeek have a nice adaptor that does 2.5" drives and 3.5" drives.