Getting files off old drive to new computer......

DaMommy

Honorable
Feb 6, 2013
2
0
10,510
Hello,
I was wondering how i can get my old files from my old hard drive to my new computer...the problem...no room in my new one to hook it up...is there a way to do it OUTSIDE the tower?
 
Yes, there is a way. You can get an external drive enclosure or docking station to connect the old drive via a USB port or ports (all depends on the cable). Before purchasing an external enclosure you will need to know whether the drive is an IDE drive (PATA) or SATA drive. If it is a PATA drive it would have connected to the motherboard with a wide ribbon cable. If it is a SATA drive it would have connected with a narrow cable.
Visit http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125955 for images of the two cables. Some examples of drive enclosures and docking stations can be found at these sites:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=hard+drive+enclosure and
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=external+drive+enclosure&sprefix=external+drive+en%2Caps%2C170
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=external+drive+dock&sprefix=external+drive+do%2Caps%2C140&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aexternal+drive+dock&ajr=1