Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

So it's time for another one for the geek bods, this time concerning SATA mobile hard disks.

Simple question, really: can I connect a mobile (2.5") HD to a desktop motherboard / power supply without any of it going bang? The plugs are identical (to say the least), which wasn't the case with the "old" PATA drives, so I'm assuming these guys wouldn't be stupid enough to use the same plugs on incompatible stuff... and I'm thinking voltage here, I'm not in the mood to fry a brand new 160GB Western Digital SATA mobile HD...

Answers on a postcard please!

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

No idea.

However an external SATA USB encolsure would be safe and, as long as you dont want the drive permanently in the normal box, one of the better options.

Not sure of cost tho

David

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

I have one, but it's very slow and I need to clone an 80 GB HD into this 160 GB one... which will take hours, and a second enclosure... which is why I thought of this fast and easy (and potentially not very happy ending) way! Thanks for the suggestion though!

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

My "don't blame me if it goes pop" answer is yep. All external mobile drives that I've seen have been regular drives in a fancy shell, ie. exactly the same drives and power connectors. Some have added power gubbins to allow to run from USB and the like, but generally these are just a "thingy" between the HDD power socket and the USB interface.

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

Sorry, no external hard disk here (except if I follow Soulkiss' sugestion), it's an internal one ;)

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

Cant see any reason why it wouldn't work to be honest. They all take the same voltage & give out the same signals from the controller...

Manufacturer & model?

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

Western Digital Scorpio.

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

Can you not compare the Voltage on the MB HDD to that of the Mobile SATA HD. You should be able to find that info on the labels of the HDD's.
I'm with Baph, I can't really see any reason why not but it might be worth a read of those labels.

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

And not an Aquapanini in sight...............

Re: Another one for the geek bods (Mobile HD question)
 

Yup, WD Scorpio's are just an ordinary SATA drive, so it'll work fine.