How to install old IDE HDD on win7?

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

I have an old hard disk from a dell windows XP computer. The computer itself does not work, but the hard disk contains files that should be able to be read by a normal windows 7 computer. I have a sharkoon HDD IDE/SATA adaptor with an IDE port, to which I have connected the hard disk, and an external power supply. I have tried to connect this device via USB to various windows 7 computers, but none of them can properly install the driver. Some computers don't recognize it at all, some say 'device could not properly be installed, because the device was unplugged' (even though I didn't unplug it), and some simply say: 'device installation failed.' Troubleshooter says it cannot solve the problem.

Why is this happening and how could the device still be properly installed, so that the files on the hard disk could be read?

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Is HDD SATA or IDE ? 3.5" or 2.5" ?

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

It says: suitable for 2.5'' and 3.5''. It has both SATA and IDE, but I only use the IDE port via an adapter.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

It says: suitable for 2.5'' and 3.5''. It has both SATA and IDE, but I only use the IDE port via an adapter.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

The drive itself, is it 2.5" or 3.5" ? It's important because 3.5" drives need external power.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Where can I find that? It doesn't say anything about 2.5'' or 3.5'' on the drive itself. I do use external power, though.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

A ruler or measuring tape can help, it refers to width of the drive. Typically, if it came from a laptop it would be 2.5 and from desktop a 3.5".
Next to data connector it should have 6 or more pins, one of them should have "Cs" (cable select) marking. In my experience USB adapters work best at that setting. A small cap should be on two of those pins and you can move it to Cs.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

It's 2.5''. What exactly is the data connector?

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

The place whre HDD connects to cable or in this case USB adapter.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

I see four pins next to that connection, just like the pins that go into the connection itself, but none of them has Cs on it.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Can you write down full designation of the disk, should be on the sticker.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

On the green side with the chip: 1109-C0F-OD Q39131X N
On the side with the big white sticker: 160 GB MD01600-AVEW-RO; 5400 RPM; ATA 100; 8MB BUF; Enhanced IDE Hard Drive; 5VDC; S/N: FX9722424H10 DID: VE00WZT01600BE; Date: 28 AUG 2012

Then there is a picture, it shows the four pins and 'MASTER'; it does indeed say 'Cable Select' about the lower two pins and 'Slave' about the right two pins. But nothing movable...

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

You need a smaller (there's 2 sizes) caps that are for connectors like that to short those two pins together.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

I have a cap that originally held all of the pins together, will that one do? It can be put on two pins sideways. I don't have a small cap.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

If it can fit only at those two pins than OK.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Ok, I have put it on. What do I do next?

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Now try again to connect it to adapter and computer.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Nope. Still doesn't work.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

The computer does, however, regularly give a sound as if a USB-stick is inserted, but it does not show any device-installing message, as it should be doing.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Well, try to access it. Check Device manager and and disk manager too.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Yesss I found it via device manager!! But how do I access the files now? It does not appear in My Computer.

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Try disk management, run "diskmgmt.msc" and see what shows there.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Doesn't work, only shows local drives ((C:\) and System Reserved ).

CountMike · Dec 5, 2015

Rat's that usually works, try as Slave.

Ankaera · Dec 5, 2015

Same result.

How to install old IDE HDD on win7?

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