Computer geeks: hard drive docking station?

The Coffee Shop
1

I have a few older, functioning internal drives from a Windows machine. Would like to start backing up some files that I can’t actually afford to lose so…what say you about a device like this? Thermaltake seems to be a brand with nice reviews…

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6321560&CatId=2785

2

Don’t know about that one, but, most of the internal HD docking stations only cost about $20 and work just fine. I used one recently to recover data from a HD going bad.

Edit: For the one you linked…Nice touch with the card readers.

3

The key word here is OLDER-- most likely those are IDE hard drives - that docking station is for SATA drives

just pick up a IDE USB Hard disk enclosure from Ebay - the 2.5 inch ones run about $5 shipped – the 3.5" ones run about $15 shipped.

go to http://www.laptopparts101.com/hard-drive/ to see a picture comparing SATA and IDE.

4

Actually I have 2 SATA and one IDE. Would you steer me to one over the other since I can use either one?

5

I have a Thermaltake and it works fabulously. Other similiar devices didn’t consistently recognize hot-swapped drives (SATA)

6

If you’re just backing up:
.

7

I can’t seem to find any of the Thermaltake hard drive docks for IDE drives…I was wrong the other isn’t an SATA. I found a really generic one on ebay…these are for use with Mac’s if that makes a difference. Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IDE-SATA-HDD-HARD-DRIVE-DOCK-STATION-USB-HUB-READER-Supports-2-5-3-5-SATA-IDE-/230705256924?pt=PCC_Drives_Storage_Internal&hash=item35b71ad9dc#ht_3031wt_1141

8

there’s a dock on tigerdirect for both or just use the cables?

if you can find a cheap enclosure, that works too.