Question 1

I have a laptop that is not useable and was wanting to transfer the data on the hard drive to my desk top.  The hard drive is a Toshiba model number MK3275GSX and my Dell desktop has USB 2.0 inputs.  Will I be able to do what I want with this product?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You did not offer any suggestion as to which interface your laptop's hard drive uses, but that doesn't matter as that is the beauty of this product; it converts both IDE and SATA hard drives.

One downside to this particular adapter/converter package, however, is its resistance to use over time. In other words, the more you use it, the sooner it will be rendered unusable. Also, this setup is prone to accidentally losing its connection to the power cord, typically by accidental movement from the user or surface, so you would have to take extra care to ensure its complete stability while in use.

If you would rather not have to worry about stability, here are a couple other options I highly recommend:

StarTech UNIDOCK3U USB 3.0 to SATA IDE HDD
? +82% increase in cost, including shipping, when compared to cost after shipping of Insten 675639 USB 2.0 to IDE / SATA Converter Cable. ?

Or

StarTech UNIDOCK2U USB to SATA IDE
? +69% increase in cost, including shipping, when compared to the cost after shipping of Insten 675639 USB 2.0 to IDE / SATA Converter Cable. ?

In case you were wondering, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

Simply copy each product's name and paste it into the search box.

Question 2

hello can i used this for a external hard drive that was for mat for a mac on a windows to get documents ?

Accepted Answer

most times you should be able to access harddrive info from both platforms. I have had mostly macs in my lifetime unless I was just lucky. but I have media storage that I have used on android/ps3/xbox/wii/windows. I have a mac specific drive that I pulled from my broken imac. but I am unable to power it because the supplied powercord on this usb adaptor sucks and the ide cord gets in the way of power. spend more $ and get something that works. this will work fine for a sata drive but its a no go on ide. tried on both a dvd drive and harddrive. i myself am looking at the rosewill brand one for like $25? cheers.

Question 3

can i used a hard drive for mac on a windows with this?

Accepted Answer

Expanding upon Paul D's and Travis M's responses, there are two very popular programs used to interface a Mac-formatted drive with a Windows host. One is a program called HFSExplorer, which is known as "freeware" meaning it is 100% free forever (for more information about freeware, Google it). The only issue with HFSExplorer is that it only awards Windows hosts read permissions. In other words, you will only be able to read/copy data *from* the Mac drive while it is in use by Windows. If you would like to copy data to *and* from the Mac drive using your Windows host, your best option is a piece of software designed by Paragon Software Group, because their product called  Paragon HFS+ for Windows will also award Windows hosts read permission, but it will also award Windows hosts write permissions, allowing you to copy data to and from the Mac drive while it is connected to your Windows host.

Question 4

Exactly how is this used? When I received it, I tried it on a SATA notebook drive, but, apparently my computer doesn't show it on peripherals, even though it was hooked up through a USB port.

Accepted Answer

Connections should be pretty self explanatory power adapter plugged into wall, usb connected to computer sata to drive, power to drive.  
I had a couple drives that required a bit of configuration using the windows disk management utility.  Control panel/Administrative tools/Computer Management/Storage/Disk Management. If I recall correctly the drive had to be initialized for explorer and such to recognize it.  hope this helps.

Question 5

Do all 5 pieces shown in the picture come for about $19?

Accepted Answer

Yes it comes with everything shown. Be careful with the power adapter, though. Mine ended up not having a good connection with the power block, shorted, and melted. That's just mine and may have been an operator error.

Question 6

my hard drive is formatted for a mac can i used this for a windows pc wit out reformatting ?

Accepted Answer

That depends on how you want to use it with the Windows PC. If you want to use it as your primary hard drive with Windows XP/Vista/7/8 installed upon it, then the drive *must* be reformatted. However, if you would like to use it on the Windows PC as an extra drive (whether external or internal), there are a couple variables to consider: 1) If all you need to do is access the data on the drive, and have no need to save files to the drive, you can use a freeware program called HFSExplorer (Google it). If you need to be able to copy files to and from the Mac drive, and are *seriously* opposed to reformatting the drive, there is a paid program that works very well for this purpose. It is call Paragon HFS+ for Windows (again, you'll have to Google it). It is also the cheapest paid software of which I am aware that satisfies this type of need.

Question 7

will this work for a WD my passport?

Accepted Answer

Expanding upon Scott C's response, if the Passport is no longer recognized when using USB, then you can open the casing and remove the drive itself, as it is simply and internal hard drive seated into an enclosure designed for protection and mobility outside the PC. Thus, once the drive is removed from the enclosure, this cable will, in fact, be compatible.

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