SATA vs. IDE - which do I have?

Betty · 08-11-2010, 10:37 AM

Is it possible to find out if my drives are IDE or SATA without opening the case? I'm running WinXP Pro if that makes a difference.

Ghoulish Delight · 08-11-2010, 10:40 AM

Right click on "My Computer" and select "manage". Then choose "Device Manager" under system tools. Expand "Disk Drives" in the tree. There should be devices with model numbers, which MIGHT included "SATA" or "IDE" in the model number, but might not. Easiest thing to do is just google the model number and see what the results say the drive is.

Betty · 08-11-2010, 10:42 AM

Thank you very much. I'm off to figure it out!

Ghoulish Delight · 08-11-2010, 10:44 AM

If your system is fairly new (like, last 5 years), odds are high that it's SATA.

Betty · 08-11-2010, 10:46 AM

Is ATA the same as SATA?

Ghoulish Delight · 08-11-2010, 11:06 AM

No. Both IDE and SATA drives are ATA.

What's the model #?

Betty · 08-11-2010, 11:16 AM

It's a Maxtor 6L300R0

Ghoulish Delight · 08-11-2010, 11:17 AM

That's an IDE drive.

Moonliner · 08-11-2010, 11:40 AM

Note:

Many PC's have both ATA and SATA connections. So you might be able to upgrade to a new SATA drive if that is your goal.

If you want to crack it open, SATA connections look something like these blue ones, ATA more like the yellow:

Betty · 08-11-2010, 02:58 PM

I'm actually getting a new computer and want to transfer data from the old drive.

08-11-2010, 10:37 AM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	SATA vs. IDE - which do I have? Is it possible to find out if my drives are IDE or SATA without opening the case? I'm running WinXP Pro if that makes a difference. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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08-11-2010, 10:40 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Right click on "My Computer" and select "manage". Then choose "Device Manager" under system tools. Expand "Disk Drives" in the tree. There should be devices with model numbers, which MIGHT included "SATA" or "IDE" in the model number, but might not. Easiest thing to do is just google the model number and see what the results say the drive is. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2010, 10:42 AM	#3
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Thank you very much. I'm off to figure it out! __________________ Nee Stell Thue
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2010, 10:44 AM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	If your system is fairly new (like, last 5 years), odds are high that it's SATA. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2010, 10:46 AM	#5
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Is ATA the same as SATA? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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08-11-2010, 11:06 AM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	No. Both IDE and SATA drives are ATA. What's the model #? __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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08-11-2010, 11:16 AM	#7
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	It's a Maxtor 6L300R0 __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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08-11-2010, 11:17 AM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	That's an IDE drive. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2010, 11:40 AM	#9
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Note: Many PC's have both ATA and SATA connections. So you might be able to upgrade to a new SATA drive if that is your goal. If you want to crack it open, SATA connections look something like these blue ones, ATA more like the yellow: __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2010, 02:58 PM	#10
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I'm actually getting a new computer and want to transfer data from the old drive. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
	Submit to Quotes