Freecom PATA External Drive Issue

[fd1972uk]

Hi All,

 

New here, hoping someone can assist.

 

Seems my external HD pack up, the blue light keeps flashing and I can't power on, laptop ain't reading it.

 

IT's an old Freecom unit (250gb if I remember right), a PATA unit, anyone aware if I can use it on one of those quick reader things, I've tried searching online (Amazon) but it keeps taking me to a SATA reader, but did seem to indicate that I could buy another cable to enable to work with a PATA Drive.

 

Hope I've explained that okay, not very good at this PC tech stuff. Any other info needed, let me know.

 

 

TIA

 

 

FD

 

 

[KenB]

Hi,

 

anyone aware if I can use it on one of those quick reader things,

If you can take the hard-drive out of the enclosure you can try hooking it up to one of these:

 

click here

 

I have found with 3.5 inch desktop drives [ laptop drives are 2.5 inch ] that they need extra power

The USB Port provides 5v

You didn't say what size hard-drive it is.

 

If you need extra power for a 3.5 inch drive something like this will do the job

 

click here

 

For info .....PATA drives are often referred to as IDE drives.

 

Hopefully the problem will lie with the enclosure circuitry and your actual drive will be OK :)

[fd1972uk]

Hi,

 

Thanks for quick response, need to reply thru phone as my work seems to have security issues with threads on the website

 

Not sure if its same thing u mention the size and refer to a pc or laptop drive, however its an external hard drive unit.

 

Thanks

 

 

FD

[KenB]

Hi

however its an external hard drive unit.

The drives are the same.

You need to know if it is a 2.5 or 3.5 inch as external drives can be either.

 

The 2.5 inch external caddies are quite small.

The 3.5 inch tend to be rather "chunky"

 

Take it out and measure it.

 

If you are unsure - post the sizes here.

[fd1972uk]

Hi,

 

Got a USB2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable.

 

I've tried it, however I'm not sure if there is an issue with the power cable.

 

However once I plugged it in smoke came from the drive (near where it was plugged in).

 

Have I totally destroyed the unit?

 

I have a PS4 connector that looks like it may fit the power adapter, but not sure what to do? Don't want to damage the PS4 cable.

 

 

TIA

 

 

FD

[KenB]

Got a USB2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable.

I assume that the drive is the smaller 2.5 inch ?

 

However once I plugged it in smoke came from the drive (near where it was plugged in).

Not good.

 

Have you checked that the USB port is still working?

 

I certainly wouldn't attempt to access that drive again - it sounds as if something is shorting out.

[fd1972uk]

I assume that the drive is the smaller 2.5 inch ?

 

 

Not good.

 

Have you checked that the USB port is still working?

 

I certainly wouldn't attempt to access that drive again - it sounds as if something is shorting out.

 

 

No the drive is 3.5, usb power won't work, that#'s why I had to use the power plug too.

[KenB]

No the drive is 3.5, usb power won't work,

Ah - ok :)

My comment re: not connecting the drive still holds ....it does sound like a direct short in the circuitry somewhere. :(

[fd1972uk]

Does that mean the data is salvageable though via a professional company?

[KenB]

Does that mean the data is salvageable though via a professional company?

It could be - but this is usually very expensive. :(