Help with SATA/Optical Drive power/data

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

Building a computer right now, pretty much finished but after installing the SSD/HDD, I realized when trying to install the optical drive that I need more SATA data/power cables? My MOBO only came with 2 data cables...so I need to go buy a 6Gbps SATA cable and...a power cable?

My psu is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151136&cm_re=seasonic_550w_gold-_-17-151-136-_-Product

My optical drive is the OEM Asus drive.

Help please D: Very annoyed I can't finish this project right now after waiting weeks

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

The PSU should have another SATA power cable on it. As to SATA cables, a standard SATA 2 cable will be fine for the DVD-ROM (DVD wouldn't use SATA 3 so you can connect it to a SATA2 port though a SATA 3 port should be backward-compatible). They're a few bucks each online or possibly available in a store depending on what you have nearby.

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

The PSU has another cable marked SATA on it, but it's only about a foot in length that doesn't really help me at all considering it's on the other side of the case from the optical drive. I'm assuming it's a 6pin power connector since...it fits 6 holes into the PSU. Having some difficult finding cables online, hopefully my local PC shop has one I guess. Why do modern MOBO's come with only 2 SATA data cables??

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

Do you have a rather large case? Some PSU cables can have trouble reaching in that situation. If you can't get that cable to reach there are SATA power extension cables (probably only online).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=sata%20extension%20cable&Submit=ENE

I guess the accessory pack depends on the motherboard. Sometimes the packaging for a new HDD or DVDROM includes a cable also; have you checked there?

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

Not really...it's a mid tower. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107
But no the main SATA cable isn't long enough to reach both SSD and HDD, as well as the optical drive. I might be able to move around the locations of both optical drive and hard drives to accommodate though...but still lacking the data cable.

Yeah I've looked through everything, nowhere to be found. Guess another frustrating day tomorrow ahead of me haha.

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

Are there SATA power connectors on a different cable available? It's not clear whether you're trying to stretch one cable between the three devices or using a different cable for the ROM.

SBMfromLA · Jan 30, 2015

I understand... you have a minor problem... just run out and buy a molex to Sata cable for the power to your optical drive and pick up a regular Sata 2 cable to plug the drive into the motherboard... both are under a couple of bucks if you order online... if you have a computer shop near you... you might be able to find one there... As you add or upgrade your system over time... you'll accumulate lots of those types of cables.. I must have about a dozen of them.

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

No, the only other SATA connector is on a power cord less than a foot long (6 pin to 2 SATA connecotrs).
I don't really care how I get power to the ROM. I need another 3-4 inches on the SATA power cable I'm using for SSD and HDD to get to the ROM.

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

SBMfromLA :

I have a box full of random cables and things, and nothing to use them for.

Anyway, a SATA extension or a MOLEX to SATA could help (the latter would be easier to find in a local store)

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

Thanks for the help. How would MOLEX to SATA help exactly? What end does the molex part plug into on my SATA cable?
Looking at the pic http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200061
What would be plugging into the white molex end to make it an 'Extension'?

SBMfromLA · Jan 30, 2015

TeamShades :

I see... You just need a molex extension cable... that's all

http://files.cablewholesale.com/hires/11w3-04212.jpg

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

The MOLEX adapter would have to plug into a four-pin MOLEX connector from the PSU. If none are available or it still wouldn't reach, get a SATA extender. MOLEX was more common in older systems (for PATA HDD and DVD drives before SATA replaced it). IF ordering online, get a SATA extender. I suggested a MOLEX adapter since they're easier to find in local stores.

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

So this isn't for an extension anymore, but rather another 6pin to MOLEX, and then Molex to SATA to connect my optical?

edit: 4 pin

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

TeamShades :

Not sure which of us you're replying to, but it doesn't extend SATA, it adapts a MOLEX into a SATA power. I'm not sure that PSU has MOLEX (it's four pins straight across).

SchizTech · Jan 30, 2015

TeamShades :

If you have that available, yeah. It would probably be easier to find in a local store than a SATA extender cable.

SBMfromLA · Jan 30, 2015

TeamShades :

Well, I'm confused by how you're explaining this. The SATA DATA CABLE plugs from the back of the optical drive into your motherboard... Do you have the DATA CABLE taken care of?

NOW... the Power Cable... the one with the molex connections... that supplies power from the power supply... is that the one you are having trouble with?

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

No I do not have another data cable for my optical drive. I'll go try to buy one tomorrow for that.

Right now I'm just using the power cable with 4 SATA connectors on it, running to both HDD and SSD. Plugs into 6pin onto the PSU, however it's 3-4 inches shy of the optical drive, so I need to extend it or get another cable.

SBMfromLA · Jan 30, 2015

TeamShades :

OK... then what exactly is your problem... if I may ask? You said you know you needed a data cable and an extension cable...

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

Not really sure which extension cable I need. I keep getting told different things, right now I have power cable that plugs into my PSU and has 4x SATA connectors on the end. So if I get a Molex/SATA adapter not really sure where the MOLEX end goes.

TeamShades · Jan 30, 2015

tested the rest of the machine...turned on but a loud whirring kinda noise was going on and there was a pop sound. Turned everything off probs just gonna take everything to a local PC store...sigh.

Help with SATA/Optical Drive power/data

Reputable

Judicious

Reputable

Judicious

Reputable

Judicious

Distinguished

Reputable

Judicious

Reputable

Distinguished

Judicious

Reputable

Judicious

Judicious

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Reputable

Share this page