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Rossua · 01-24-2007, 08:15 AM

Thanks for all replies. I think PATA will be the best solution. I've found an adapter card on the market which plugs into a SATA connector on the mobo and which provides an IDE connector for connection of an ATA-133 hard drive so that it can work through the SATA interface. Or failing this I could still use it in the future in an external USB housing.

As a side note has anyone had any problems with a machine made by a computer manufacturer where a hidden portion of the hard drive is used to store a full backup of the system (and no Windows CD is supplied). The problem is the OS cannot see this hidden area, and only special software supplied on a 'reload CD' which they supply can see it. When it comes to cloning to the new hard drive, the hidden area will not be transfered over, and so the backup of Windows will be lost. The only way I can see these hidden areas being cloned is by using special hard disk duplicating machines which support 'HPA', but these cost $1000's !

01-24-2007, 08:15 AM	#6
Rossua Member (8 bit) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 155	Thanks for all replies. I think PATA will be the best solution. I've found an adapter card on the market which plugs into a SATA connector on the mobo and which provides an IDE connector for connection of an ATA-133 hard drive so that it can work through the SATA interface. Or failing this I could still use it in the future in an external USB housing. As a side note has anyone had any problems with a machine made by a computer manufacturer where a hidden portion of the hard drive is used to store a full backup of the system (and no Windows CD is supplied). The problem is the OS cannot see this hidden area, and only special software supplied on a 'reload CD' which they supply can see it. When it comes to cloning to the new hard drive, the hidden area will not be transfered over, and so the backup of Windows will be lost. The only way I can see these hidden areas being cloned is by using special hard disk duplicating machines which support 'HPA', but these cost $1000's !