Help IT experts - how to access this lap top HDD via USB?

[g3org3y]

Tiny (remember them!?) lap top, probably 12 years old. For various reasons, lap top is beyond repair but have removed/salvaged the HDD (nothing hugely important on it).

I want to plug this HDD into another computer via a USB connection and access/copy the files. However, this is proving somewhat problematic owing to the connection.

Fujitsu HDD
MHR2040AT


Female connector
44 pins with 1 blank

The manual states it is an ATA-5 connection (though other sources have mentioned DMA/ATA 100)

It plugs onto the motherboard via this connection:

Male connector

None of the regular HDD/USB interfaces work - IDE or SATA, moreover they all appear to be female connectors, so a female to male adaptor will probably be needed.

Any idea what I need to buy (can't find anything) or if there are any other cunning plans anyone can suggest, that would be appreciated.

TIA

[MacW]

This is just a shot in the dark but the casing on the drive looks proprietary, if you undo the 2 screws on either side of the connection on the HDD itself does it lift off to reveal a more standard connection beneath?

[TheEnd]

Yep, I can see two PATA type pins at the far end.
I think if you take it out of the caddy, it'll have a regular set of male PATA connectors.

[TonyRPH]

I'm fairly certain that if the OP removes the two screws on either side, and the two at the rear by the socket - that it'll be possible to remove the HDD from the cage, revealing a standard IDE connector.

OP - post the model number of the disk here, and we can tell you for sure.

ETA: I see the OP has already posted the model number.

It's in a cage - remove that cage (caddy) and you'll have a standard IDE drive.

Edited by TonyRPH on Thursday 28th August 11:43

[sgrimshaw]

From the picture it looks like the drive is actually in a caddy.

If you remove it from the caddy, then you should see the connector is a standard 2.5" IDE drive connector like this:



Then you can use something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-USB-2-0-to-SATA-ATA-...

look around on ebay, you can get them much cheaper.

Alternatively, if you have a PC World then this would be ideal - and you can take it back if not .... or after you've used it

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/components-upgrades/...

[Jinx]

Looks like the old Ipod 4 and previous HD connector - bung it in an old Ipod and connect via USB?

[g3org3y]

Many thanks you beautiful people.