IDE to SATA adaptor cables

[artbuc]

Wow, nothing is easy when you are trying to extend the life of an old PC! While shopping for a new CD/DVD drive, I discovered IDE seems to be obsolete. My PC is SATA enabled so I assume it has a SATA connector on the motherboard but I have not confirmed that yet. Also, I will have to get some kind of adaptor for the power cable. I am thinking the best way to go is an external drive with USB 2.0 connection. I use this drive almost never so an external drive would not be at all inconvenient.

What suggestions do you folks have re purchasing/installing a SATA drive in a PC with IDE wiring? Thanks.

[Geek-9pm]

First of all, what is your motherboard?
Are you getting a new  CD/DVD drive?
Samsung Internal IDE CD-RW at Amazon
That one is about $17 and is IDE.

[artbuc]

First of all, what is your motherboard?
Are you getting a new  CD/DVD drive?
Samsung Internal IDE CD-RW at Amazon
That one is about $17 and is IDE.

Thanks Geek. I did see that one but was spooked by the negative reviews. Yes, I need a new drive to install Win 7. My old drive still reads CD's ok but the DVD function is kaput. I don't know what my motherboard is. Can I find out by looking in My Computer or do I have to dismantle the tower to physically see it?

[patio]

Those adapters work fine...not sure what reviews you got spooked by...unless it's a really shoddy Brand...

[artbuc]

Those adapters work fine...not sure what reviews you got spooked by...unless it's a really shoddy Brand...

Was talking about the 5 1-star Amazon reviews for the Samsung drive.  Normally 5 out of 64 would not bother me but these 5 were quite bad. Of course you never know if the Amazon reviews are legit.

[artbuc]

First of all, what is your motherboard?
Are you getting a new  CD/DVD drive?
Samsung Internal IDE CD-RW at Amazon
That one is about $17 and is IDE.

I went to the HP website and discovered a world of info I did not know existed. My motherboard is ASUS A8M2N-LA and it has four SATA connectors and two PATA connectors. Can I use 2 of the 4 SATA connectors for a new SATA CD/DVD drive, ie one for power and the other for data? Thanks for asking this question Geek. 

[patio]

The MBoard only needs the SATA data connector...
The power will come from your PSU...if it has SATA power connectors then your all good...

[Lisa_maree]

Hi

Yes you can use the SATA ports for the DVD drive. Some HP motherboards need 1 of the IDE ports turned off to enable the use of all the SATA ports. If you don't have any IDE drives when you remove the dvd then I would disable the ide ports in the bios anyway.

But if you play around with computers it's really handy having a USB DVD drive that you know reads your disks etc and can be used on any machine.

[artbuc]

Thanks to all for your help. I borrowed an external drive and I successfully installed Win 7. Will worry about getting a new CD/DVD drive later.