Standard connector(s)

[garllacuba]

Is there a way to convert an ATA hard drive or connector or a SATA hard drive connector to a universal type USB?
I have different hard drives and want to set-up a plug and play configuration.

 

[sminlal]

It sounds to me like you're looking for an external USB enclosure such as this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145135

They're available for both SATA and IDE/ATA drives.

 

[Paperdoc]

ATA and SATA drives have very different ways of communicating to the outside world, and neither does it anything like USB. So the "convert" concept actually requires a slightly smart interface system to translate from one system to another (both directions). That is what an external enclosure (as sminlal suggests) does for you. It is a box for physical mounting of the unit and physical protection. It has a cord coming out of it to connect to a USB port. Inside it has a power supply for the HDD unit itself and for its own interface electronics. It has the interface circuitry that translates both ways between USB and whichever hard drive it is designed for. You can buy DIFFERENT cases - one type to house an ATA drive, or a different type (although it may look the same outside) to house a SATA drive.

Often you can buy a case that has two or three methods available to connect from it to your computer (e.g., USB2, eSATA and Firewire 400, but not simultaneously), but only ONE type of drive can be mounted inside. They've simply built an interface system that can translate for all three communication systems.

For a temporary setup if you want to forgo the physical mounting and protection features, you can buy a smaller device that basically is an interface and power supply unit in one block that plugs into the back of the drive, and has a short cable to connect to a mobo port - these typically are called "adapters", as in "SATA-to_USB Adapter". They come with their own little "wall wort" to provide the power necessary for the adapter unit.

 

[garllacuba]

To: sminlal and Paperdoc
Thanks for replying to my question. Both answers were helpful and I will report on the outcome of my setup. Thanks
garllacuba