Rosewill RCW-608 USB2.0 Adapter For IDE/SATA Device (Include Protection case) - Retail

Way cool

Reviewed By: on 2/27/2008

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: This thing is so handy. I may be a little backwards, but I never knew about these adapters until I found them by accident just browsing around. I don't know how many times I've had to open up the case to connect up old hds - what a pain. Anyway, I tested this on a 8gb-ata33 and 40gb-ata100 Maxtor hd. I copied over large 1gb files and verified them. The cables are long enough for me, and the power switch seems solid enough. It looks like it was made well enough.

Cons: I've only been testing this thing for a day. The power and data connectors are a hard plastic that are snug and secure now, but perhaps could wear over many insertion cycles. But this is probably more a general IDE cable problem; these connectors were originally designed for internal (inside case) devices expected to be more permanently connected, as opposed to external USB-like devices (which have metal connectors). Data integrity: So far no write problems, but in one test when I verified a 1gb file I had written, the first verify (using fc/b) said there was a one byte error (E7 vs E5) while two subsequent verifies of that file were perfect. Take that however you want (I can live with it, though, as I always verify my files to external drives).

Other Thoughts: Performance: Reads were about 14 MB/s, writes about 12 MB/s. Your results may vary. Blue LED: There is a blue LED hidden inside the data connector that you won't know exists until the connected drive is properly recognized by the OS. It seems to double as a busy LED when there is activity, except it stays lit when idle. Setup: 1. Plug PS into outlet 2. Make sure power switch is off (green LED next to switch) 3. Connect data cable to drive 4. Connect power cable to drive 5. Turn on power switch, let the drive spin up for a few seconds 6. Connect data cable to USB port -> Done. Swap drives: Just undo steps 3-6 in reverse order, then redo 3-6. Uninstall: Just undo steps 1-6 in reverse order.

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Reviewed By: on 6/7/2009

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: I was looking for an intermittent-use, IDE and SATA USB solution and this unit fills the bill. The quality is quite good and the price more than reasonable for the capability it provides.

Cons: Many 2.5" IDE drives require more current than a single USB port can provide. Similar units that I've used all came with a "Y" cable to allow connection to a 2nd USB port for more current, this one does not. I solved the problem by using a powered USB hub that I has on hand.

Other Thoughts: It would be even better if the supplied power supply (for SATA and 3.5/5.25" IDE drives) could be used to power the 2.5" drives.

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Much less fussy than others

Reviewed By: Noel on 2/9/2010

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: The adapter dongle is truly a 4-in-1 design

Cons: Still not the nicest looking piece of kit you will buy

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Wish I'd bought one years ago

Reviewed By: penger100 on 2/5/2010

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Really simplifies hooking up a spare ide or sata drive to a USB port. Build quality is good enough for occasional users like me. Includes rubber sleeves for protecting drives while in use. Check what's on your old unused drives without cracking open your computer case, use them for backups or whatever. I may get another one of these! Great price

Cons: You do end up with a few cables cluttering up your work area while it's connected...might want to save the box to keep all the pieces of this together.

Other Thoughts: REALLY HANDY

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Rosewill RCW-608 USB2.0 Adapter

Reviewed By: vic on 2/5/2010

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Works flawlessly - hooked up an old IDE (ATA) drive, finding a whole bunch of nostalgic content which would otherwise be lost (how often would one take their machine apart for the sake of finding something on an old drive?). Excellent value! Why shell out $100 for a portable, if you can make one yourself using any kind of existing hard drive (otherwise collecting dust). Oh and btw, works with Wii flawlessly (just made this product sell more by 25% :) ). Also, NEWEGG... AMAZING DELIVERY TIME (encouraged me to write this review, for all you marketing people making connections) - definitely your competitive advantage and a good business model.

Cons: Thanks for making the product go on sale for 19.99 and free shipping the day after I purchased it (I am going to wait next time).

Other Thoughts: AMAZING DELIVERY TIME

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