Technology computers-hardware

How to Connect Your Internal Hard Drive to Your Laptop

By Technology Last updated Saturday, April/20/2024

Using a converter

1). Figure out what kind of hard drive you have. There are two main types: SATA (Serial ATA) and PATA (Parallel ATA, also know as IDE). SATA drives have small, wafer-like connectors on the back and IDE drives have two rows of 20 small, metal pins.
2). Search online for a SATA or IDE to USB (Universal Serial Bus) converter, depending on what your hard drive is. Any laptop should have at least one USB connector, but you should look through the manual to see if you have USB 1.0 or 2.0 ports and look for a compatible connector. Any computer made in the last year or two should have 2.0 ports. If you are having trouble finding a converter try www.newegg.com. It should cost less than $20.
3). Connect the converter to your hard drive and to the USB port on the laptop. The converter should come with a power adapter as well. Read the manual and connect the power adapter as instructed.

1). Verify what kind of hard drive you have. There are two main kinds: SATA (Serial ATA) and PATA (Parallel ATA, also know as IDE). SATA drives have small, wafer-like connectors on the back and IDE drives have two rows of 20 small, metal pins.
2). Search online, or at a computer store, for either a SATA or IDE USB external hard drive enclosure. Enclosures should be relatively cheap (around $20). There are two main sizes of hard drives: 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches. Laptop drives are 2.5'' and desktop drives are 3.5'' so make sure you have the correct size when purchasing your enclosure. There are also different USB ports, check your laptop's documentation to see if it has 1.0 or 2.0 ports and get the appropriate enclosure. The enclosure should come with all the cords you need.
3). Insert your hard drive into the enclosure. There should only be one method of doing this correctly, so look at the connectors and match them all up.
4). Connect the enclosure to your laptop using the USB cable that came with the enclosure and an open USB port on your laptop. There might be a power cord as well, or the enclosure may get power from the USB port. Read the manual to find out what kind of power the enclosure requires. USB 2.0 ports usually provide enough power to run a drive. USB 1.0 ports may not, and your enclosure may come with a double-headed USB cable, with one connector for data and one for power. In that case, connect both heads into free USB ports.