how to connect external hdd internally

chillywilly · 04-28-12 at 02:17 PM

I need some advice concerning this. I have a seagate freeplay 1tb with a faulty usb connection. The piece where u plug the usb cable into the hdd has broken off and now my hdd doesn't get power. I screwed it open and found 3 plugs on the hdd itself.

A 15 pin connection a 7 pin connection and a 4 pin connection. Which one should I use to connect the hdd internally ?

crashz · 04-28-12 at 02:24 PM

Just a random guess but it seems like the 15-pin is for ribbon used to connect it from the Motherboard to the HDD and 4-pin would be the Molex connection (for power). Never computers I think use SATA, but if you have a dated PC you could connect it or you can buy a new HDD enclosure.

Catevari · 04-28-12 at 02:30 PM

15 pin = data
4 pin = power

Newer computers usually do use SATA connectors, but some have the ribbon connections still available on the motherboard but usually you may need to get your own cable. Either that or look for a HDD controller PCI card to install. I highly doubt there is SATA to 15+4pin conversions

ccpete · 04-28-12 at 03:11 PM

a sata disk has a seven pin data and a fifteen pin power connections. also converters are available for IDE to SATA and SATA to IDE connections

**Gandolph13** · 04-28-12 at 03:36 PM

My two external drives, both a Seagate and WD, are both standard internal SATA drives in the enclosure. Maybe yours is an older or newer model and it's different.

Ichigo1100 · 04-28-12 at 09:02 PM

Alternatively you can buy something like this:

Code: Select All

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002

I did it when my power adapter in my external broke 2 years ago and have had no problems with it. although admittedly not the most aesthetic solution

Trireaper · 04-28-12 at 09:12 PM

ichigo. code that link
anyways, all you have to do is take the cover off of the HDD and you will see the USB connector. Take that off and tah dah! it's a normal HDD!

Ichigo1100 · 05-05-12 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Trireaper

ichigo. code that link
anyways, all you have to do is take the cover off of the HDD and you will see the USB connector. Take that off and tah dah! it's a normal HDD!

Sorry about that that was the first time I put a url in a post and I had forgotten that particular rule.

04-28-12 at 03:36 PM	#5
Gandolph13 Legendary Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia (GMT+10) Posts: 12,315	My two external drives, both a Seagate and WD, are both standard internal SATA drives in the enclosure. Maybe yours is an older or newer model and it's different. Last edited by Gandolph13; 04-28-12 at 04:15 PM.

04-28-12 at 09:02 PM	#6
Ichigo1100 Newcomer Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43	Alternatively you can buy something like this: Code: Select All http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002 I did it when my power adapter in my external broke 2 years ago and have had no problems with it. although admittedly not the most aesthetic solution Last edited by Gandolph13; 04-28-12 at 11:08 PM.

04-28-12 at 02:24 PM	#2
crashz Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 73	Just a random guess but it seems like the 15-pin is for ribbon used to connect it from the Motherboard to the HDD and 4-pin would be the Molex connection (for power). Never computers I think use SATA, but if you have a dated PC you could connect it or you can buy a new HDD enclosure.

04-28-12 at 02:30 PM	#3
Catevari Novice Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 129	15 pin = data 4 pin = power Newer computers usually do use SATA connectors, but some have the ribbon connections still available on the motherboard but usually you may need to get your own cable. Either that or look for a HDD controller PCI card to install. I highly doubt there is SATA to 15+4pin conversions

04-28-12 at 03:11 PM	#4
ccpete Newcomer Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 14	a sata disk has a seven pin data and a fifteen pin power connections. also converters are available for IDE to SATA and SATA to IDE connections

04-28-12 at 09:12 PM	#7
Trireaper Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 362	ichigo. code that link anyways, all you have to do is take the cover off of the HDD and you will see the USB connector. Take that off and tah dah! it's a normal HDD!

05-05-12 at 01:49 PM	#8
Ichigo1100 Newcomer Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43	Quote: Originally Posted by Trireaper ichigo. code that link anyways, all you have to do is take the cover off of the HDD and you will see the USB connector. Take that off and tah dah! it's a normal HDD! Sorry about that that was the first time I put a url in a post and I had forgotten that particular rule.