IOMAX USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Adapter Kit with Power Adapter for 2.5/3.5/5.25 Inch SATA or IDE Drive > Reviews (1)

Introduction:

On 12 Dec, my 3-year-and-one-week old Elonex computer died on me (heart attack type sudden death) while I was using it. I tried everything that I could but sadly it passed away. The cause of death is possible either a failed CPU (the brain), motherboard (the body) or the CPU fan (brain cooler). To replace the CPU and/or the motherboard will be expensive and it may be better to get a new one instead. The CPU fan replacement is cheaper however the existing one is glued to the CPU. To separate them apart may required some delicate operation and I am not such a surgeon.

In order to retrieve my data files from the hard disks with my order Aries PC (from formerly savastore now saverstore, amazingly this PC is now 9 years old and still running, not bad at all), I have to buy some connector kit for it.

I spotted this amazing kit by IOMAX sold by Amazon for £18.49 including delivery and it has good reviews by lots of people.

What is in the box:

There are quite a few items in the box.

1. power cord - connect the mains to the IDE/SATA drive AC power adaptor

2. AC power adaptor (2A current) has two ends - one connects to the power port of an IDE drive and the other connects to the power port of a SATA drive. It has an on-off switch with an green LED indicator too.

3. A drive data connector/adaptor with one USB 2.0 connector end to connect to the PC/laptop/Mac; another end with a 7 pin SATA data connector to connect to a SATA drive; one the rectangular body - one side can connect to a 5.25" or 3.5" IDE drive with 40 pins and the other side can connect to a 2.5" IDE drive with 44 pins.

4. One comprehesive instruction manual. Product Features and specification:

• Compatible with any 2.5", 3.5", 5.25" IDE or SATA (I and II) drive. Supports SATA I and SATA II; Supports IDE & Enhanced IDE 3.5" Hard Disk; Supports ATA/ATAPI-6 Specification 1.0
• AC Power Adapter input: 100 - 240V, 50/60Hz, AC Power Adapter output: 12V/2A, 5V/2A
• 2A AC power adapter with dual output (IDE and SATA) Switch with LED Power ON Indicators on the power adaptor.
• Plug and Play
• High Speed USB 2.0 up to 480Mbps Transfer Speed
• SATA 7 pin male type connector, 3.5" IDE 40 pin female connector, 2.5" IDE 44 pin female connector

Set up and installation:According to the manufacturer, this kit is for external connection only i.e. outside the PC base unit, not for internal connections inside the PC base unit.

Some bright spark may think the following may work:
Just connect the 'drive data adaptor' to the drive with the internal USB 2.0 port inside the PC base unit and then connect the power port of the drive with a power connect from the power supply unit inside the PC.
There are safety issues here.
1. For a SATA drive connection, the bulky data adaptor body may be dangling inside the box thus obstructing air flow and possibly touching the other components - not a good idea.
2. For an IDE connection, the bulky data adaptor sticks out. If this is above the CPU fan - big trouble for overheating the CPU. If this is above the RAM modules - not good either.

Proper procedure (not entirely in the instruction manual):

'Ground' your hands to get rid of any electrostatic charge which will damage delicate computer component such as a naked hard disk:
- use an anti-static wrist band;
- touch the metal case of your PC with its power cord plugged into the mains socket;
- touch the radiator.

Prepare the surface where you put your hard disk on. It must be electrostatic charge free! Wipe the desk/table surface with anti-static wipe (an LCD screen swipe will do) and let it dry thoroughly. Alternatively, use the screen wipe to clean a hard surface table mat.

Connect everything up from the mains to the drive to the USB connector to the PC with the power supply for the drive switched off either at the main switch or at the AC adapter. Frequently 'ground' your hands during this process unless you are wearing anti-static wrist bands.

Once the PC is ready and logged on, switch on the power to the hard drive. The computer will recognize the USB drive straight away without the need for any driver installation, unless the operation system software of your PC is older than Windows XP SP3.

It is truely plug and play. I can retrieve my data files from my naked SATA drives to my older PC's hard drive.

Now I can have the option of having a pile of naked internal hard drives in storage and can use them outside the box.

One thing that I would not recommend to try is: connect an IDE and a SATA drive at the same time. There is only one USB connection to the PC. I do not think the PC is clever enough to know that there are two separate devices attach to the same USB port. It may get confused, or worse, blow the fuse somewhere.

Overall verdict:

For £19 this kit is a life saver to retrieve data from 'lonely' naked internal hard drives with easy plug and play via a USB cable, outside the PC box.
However careful handling of these naked devices are a must - avoid electrostatic charges in your hands and the surface that the hard drive is on at all cost.