2.5 HDD enclosure woes

MrsKitty · 07-05-2007, 16:01

I have a newer Toshiba lappy with a Toshiba HDD that is not a mini-IDE connection. My plan to pop it in an enclosure and access it isn't working... Ideas?

Does anybody make an adapter?

I suspect this is Toshiba's way to force me to buy another HDD...which I don't need! I need a MB and am trying to get to some files of this system.

My only other idea is to pop it in a new laptop (that isn't mine--mine are mini-IDE) but I haven't gotten permission to do that, yet but the way things are going I wouldn't be suprised to find it is mini-IDE instead of this funky card-type connection.

Help!

Thanks, guys!

***HAVOC*** · 07-05-2007, 17:05

Alright, what specifically is the drive? Is it an SATA drive? That tech has filtered into laptops now. Does it look like the connectors here?

If not, are you sure it doesn't have an adapter that's plugged into the 44 pin IDE port?

What's the model number of the drive? I can't imagine they made a completely custom drive just to nail you on buying drives from them in the future. Maybe a picture of the interface from a couple of useful angles?

MrsKitty · 07-05-2007, 17:37

Yup, it is SATA. I didn't recognize it...

MK4032GSX

***HAVOC*** · 07-05-2007, 17:47

Different kind of box then. Not a lot of dedicated 2.5" external boxes yet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

AFAIK they use the standard SATA on the laptop drives, so any PC with a spare connection, or even a 3.5/5.25 enclosure should work.

MrsKitty · 07-05-2007, 17:53

I am going to see if I can find another laptop or desktop I can pop it into. Surely, somebody I know with a new one should have a fit. All our stuff is IDE.

Prices for these adapters/enclosures is as much as the drive itself!

Thanks!

srhoades · 07-05-2007, 18:42

I have something very similar to this. All the benefits of an enclsoure without the actual enclosure. They make SATA ones as well. (site is for illustration purposes only, not endorsing particular vendor)

http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner...ct_match=exact

MrsKitty · 07-07-2007, 17:25

Quote:

Originally posted by srhoades
I have something very similar to this. All the benefits of an enclsoure without the actual enclosure. They make SATA ones as well. (site is for illustration purposes only, not endorsing particular vendor)

http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner...ct_match=exact

I looked at those at New Egg. The ones with reviews didn't seem too promising.

Washington,D.C. · 07-07-2007, 17:53

For notebook 2.5" hard drives the power for them is the same connector as the data cable. This would make them different from a desktop 3.5" serial ATA drive. The external enclosures for them are becoming more common. They are popular with Apple Imac's but Mac accessories can be a bit pricey.

***g29andy*** · 07-09-2007, 08:36

I had great customer service from CMS Products.

They hooked me up when I upgraded my laptop HD. They sent the enclosure, cable, and software. And, I spoke to a real person in the CONUS.

***Tennessee Slim*** · 07-09-2007, 10:02

I've had a stable of 1.8" and 2.5" external enclosures for > 2 years, always housing a Toshiba HDD. My "biggie" at the moment is a 120GB (w/16MB cache) MK1234GSX in this enclosure. It's been glitch-free. I think this will fit yours, too. Anyway, you can get the complete specs on your HDD here .

MrsKitty · 07-10-2007, 18:24

I think we are just going to pick up another laptop. If we get something with a SATA HDD, I can pop it in there to backup the docs. I am pretty certain the MB is shot and it just isn't logical to replace it when the laptop was less than $400 and can be replaced for about the same--it is used for email, Internet and Word mostly so there is no need to pick up a top of the line model.

Thanks, guys!