Why is my old PATA drive freezing my laptop?





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Well, I've been trying to ressurect my father's old external HDD and after a little investigation, I might have found what the problem is but I'd like an expert's opinion before buying anything. Of course, I could also take it to a repair center of some kind but I'm finding out this is fun! Ready to do it by myself but your advice would be much appreciated.



Anyway, long story short:




  • The box in question is a maybe 15 yo STOREX Mobi disk FHD 354

  • It used to work well on my good'ol Windows XP a good 10 years ago and hadn't been dropped or even opened (to my knowing)

  • I just want to grab the family pictures inside it, I don't intend on using it later if it's too tricky

  • HDD appears on drives list when turning it on

  • ... but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it

  • Laptop resumes right away and with no issue when I unplug or turn the HDD off

  • No click sounds to report

  • Powerage is correct

  • Windows' chkdsk and sfc yielded no results, just seem to be stuck forever

  • I opened the box and found out the drive inside it is a Samsung HD300LD

  • ... with PATA connectors

  • The power seems OK. I even found an extra power supply with the right specifics so I could get rid of the box I guess?

  • The PATA data cable is separated in 5 smaller bands, which I guess is a big no no

  • The jumper is empty and does not have a ... pin plastic thingy to set it to slave (I don't even know if it's actually mandatory)

  • In addition to the disk, there is a long circuit board on the side which I dont know the use of, despite handling the two lights pointing out of the box and indicating the HDD statusa

  • My old tower computer doesn't seem to have a PATA connector and, not being an expert, I'd rather not start Frankenstein-ing it anyway


And here is a pic of the opened box, which might sum it all even better.



So.



Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined? If so, and since the alim is functional, would buying an unbroken cable suffice? Should I buy a PATA cable and use the box or directly opting for a PATA to USB adapter?



Can I leave the jumper as is or do I need to explictly set it to slave?



In hoping I didn't forget any important detail. Looking forward to reading your answers!










share|improve this question


















  • 2





    "Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

    – Moab
    Jan 27 at 17:43











  • " but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

    – sawdust
    Jan 28 at 2:42













  • Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

    – Eneeria
    Jan 29 at 9:21













  • Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

    – sawdust
    Jan 29 at 22:25




















2















Well, I've been trying to ressurect my father's old external HDD and after a little investigation, I might have found what the problem is but I'd like an expert's opinion before buying anything. Of course, I could also take it to a repair center of some kind but I'm finding out this is fun! Ready to do it by myself but your advice would be much appreciated.



Anyway, long story short:




  • The box in question is a maybe 15 yo STOREX Mobi disk FHD 354

  • It used to work well on my good'ol Windows XP a good 10 years ago and hadn't been dropped or even opened (to my knowing)

  • I just want to grab the family pictures inside it, I don't intend on using it later if it's too tricky

  • HDD appears on drives list when turning it on

  • ... but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it

  • Laptop resumes right away and with no issue when I unplug or turn the HDD off

  • No click sounds to report

  • Powerage is correct

  • Windows' chkdsk and sfc yielded no results, just seem to be stuck forever

  • I opened the box and found out the drive inside it is a Samsung HD300LD

  • ... with PATA connectors

  • The power seems OK. I even found an extra power supply with the right specifics so I could get rid of the box I guess?

  • The PATA data cable is separated in 5 smaller bands, which I guess is a big no no

  • The jumper is empty and does not have a ... pin plastic thingy to set it to slave (I don't even know if it's actually mandatory)

  • In addition to the disk, there is a long circuit board on the side which I dont know the use of, despite handling the two lights pointing out of the box and indicating the HDD statusa

  • My old tower computer doesn't seem to have a PATA connector and, not being an expert, I'd rather not start Frankenstein-ing it anyway


And here is a pic of the opened box, which might sum it all even better.



So.



Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined? If so, and since the alim is functional, would buying an unbroken cable suffice? Should I buy a PATA cable and use the box or directly opting for a PATA to USB adapter?



Can I leave the jumper as is or do I need to explictly set it to slave?



In hoping I didn't forget any important detail. Looking forward to reading your answers!










share|improve this question


















  • 2





    "Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

    – Moab
    Jan 27 at 17:43











  • " but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

    – sawdust
    Jan 28 at 2:42













  • Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

    – Eneeria
    Jan 29 at 9:21













  • Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

    – sawdust
    Jan 29 at 22:25
















2












2








2








Well, I've been trying to ressurect my father's old external HDD and after a little investigation, I might have found what the problem is but I'd like an expert's opinion before buying anything. Of course, I could also take it to a repair center of some kind but I'm finding out this is fun! Ready to do it by myself but your advice would be much appreciated.



Anyway, long story short:




  • The box in question is a maybe 15 yo STOREX Mobi disk FHD 354

  • It used to work well on my good'ol Windows XP a good 10 years ago and hadn't been dropped or even opened (to my knowing)

  • I just want to grab the family pictures inside it, I don't intend on using it later if it's too tricky

  • HDD appears on drives list when turning it on

  • ... but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it

  • Laptop resumes right away and with no issue when I unplug or turn the HDD off

  • No click sounds to report

  • Powerage is correct

  • Windows' chkdsk and sfc yielded no results, just seem to be stuck forever

  • I opened the box and found out the drive inside it is a Samsung HD300LD

  • ... with PATA connectors

  • The power seems OK. I even found an extra power supply with the right specifics so I could get rid of the box I guess?

  • The PATA data cable is separated in 5 smaller bands, which I guess is a big no no

  • The jumper is empty and does not have a ... pin plastic thingy to set it to slave (I don't even know if it's actually mandatory)

  • In addition to the disk, there is a long circuit board on the side which I dont know the use of, despite handling the two lights pointing out of the box and indicating the HDD statusa

  • My old tower computer doesn't seem to have a PATA connector and, not being an expert, I'd rather not start Frankenstein-ing it anyway


And here is a pic of the opened box, which might sum it all even better.



So.



Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined? If so, and since the alim is functional, would buying an unbroken cable suffice? Should I buy a PATA cable and use the box or directly opting for a PATA to USB adapter?



Can I leave the jumper as is or do I need to explictly set it to slave?



In hoping I didn't forget any important detail. Looking forward to reading your answers!










share|improve this question














Well, I've been trying to ressurect my father's old external HDD and after a little investigation, I might have found what the problem is but I'd like an expert's opinion before buying anything. Of course, I could also take it to a repair center of some kind but I'm finding out this is fun! Ready to do it by myself but your advice would be much appreciated.



Anyway, long story short:




  • The box in question is a maybe 15 yo STOREX Mobi disk FHD 354

  • It used to work well on my good'ol Windows XP a good 10 years ago and hadn't been dropped or even opened (to my knowing)

  • I just want to grab the family pictures inside it, I don't intend on using it later if it's too tricky

  • HDD appears on drives list when turning it on

  • ... but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it

  • Laptop resumes right away and with no issue when I unplug or turn the HDD off

  • No click sounds to report

  • Powerage is correct

  • Windows' chkdsk and sfc yielded no results, just seem to be stuck forever

  • I opened the box and found out the drive inside it is a Samsung HD300LD

  • ... with PATA connectors

  • The power seems OK. I even found an extra power supply with the right specifics so I could get rid of the box I guess?

  • The PATA data cable is separated in 5 smaller bands, which I guess is a big no no

  • The jumper is empty and does not have a ... pin plastic thingy to set it to slave (I don't even know if it's actually mandatory)

  • In addition to the disk, there is a long circuit board on the side which I dont know the use of, despite handling the two lights pointing out of the box and indicating the HDD statusa

  • My old tower computer doesn't seem to have a PATA connector and, not being an expert, I'd rather not start Frankenstein-ing it anyway


And here is a pic of the opened box, which might sum it all even better.



So.



Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined? If so, and since the alim is functional, would buying an unbroken cable suffice? Should I buy a PATA cable and use the box or directly opting for a PATA to USB adapter?



Can I leave the jumper as is or do I need to explictly set it to slave?



In hoping I didn't forget any important detail. Looking forward to reading your answers!







hard-drive freeze pata






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Jan 27 at 17:32









EneeriaEneeria

111




111








  • 2





    "Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

    – Moab
    Jan 27 at 17:43











  • " but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

    – sawdust
    Jan 28 at 2:42













  • Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

    – Eneeria
    Jan 29 at 9:21













  • Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

    – sawdust
    Jan 29 at 22:25
















  • 2





    "Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

    – Moab
    Jan 27 at 17:43











  • " but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

    – sawdust
    Jan 28 at 2:42













  • Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

    – Eneeria
    Jan 29 at 9:21













  • Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

    – sawdust
    Jan 29 at 22:25










2




2





"Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

– Moab
Jan 27 at 17:43





"Am I right in thinking the PATA data cable is simply ruined?" No, it is ok to split the cable that way. Leave jumper as is and try a pata to usb adapter after removing the hard drive.....amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-Adapter-Converter-External/dp/…

– Moab
Jan 27 at 17:43













" but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

– sawdust
Jan 28 at 2:42







" but caused my computer to freeze when trying to access it" -- Could be the drive in a recovery mode, i.e. continually trying to re-read a bad sector. "Powerage is correct" -- What does that mean? Also see superuser.com/questions/408930/…

– sawdust
Jan 28 at 2:42















Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

– Eneeria
Jan 29 at 9:21







Thanks for your answers! @Moab Good to hear the cable is fine, I'll go and try to grab a pata to usb adapter on Saturday, keep you posted. @ sawdust I'll investigate about this recovery mode, thanks for the hint. What I meant by powerage being correct is that I made sure I'm using the right power cords, so power related issues are out of the way.

– Eneeria
Jan 29 at 9:21















Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

– sawdust
Jan 29 at 22:25







Simply "using the right power cords" is not sufficient to determine "powerage is correct". Correct power normally means that the power source has been measured (e.g. with a voltmeter/multimeter) to deliver the proper voltages. Your assumption that all "power related issues are out of the way" is probably premature since you haven't actually measured anything.

– sawdust
Jan 29 at 22:25












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