I want to plug a 2.5" SATA HDD into a laptop with an internal IDE connector.
They could use this SATA-IDE adapter board pictured below.
The SATA HDD with the adapter won't fit into the bay, but let's say that's fine.
It's largely an aesthetic issue; it doesn't matter if there's an "extension" cable.
When using that SATA-IDE adapter attached to the HDD, they could attach a 2.5" cable F-F, then use a gender changer at the other end so it looks like the connector of an IDE hard drive. That 2.5" male end end of the cable could then be plugged into the laptop's IDE port
But I don't know whether such a cable that is 2.5" at both ends exists.
Or are there alternative ways of plugging a 2.5" SATA drive into a 2.5" IDE connector?
Best Answer
Here is a cable that would work. So if aesthetics are truly no big deal, here you go.
Added by barlop - This is 2.5" IDE both ends, despite the "Micro SATA Cables" brand name. And it has 2 reviews, both by people that know what they're talking about, both lowest rating, pointing out issues with it that they think are serious. One review mentions that the red painted side (denoting pin1) is on the wrong side (though i'd wonder how that makes a difference - and how one would determine what is the wrong side. Either side could be deemed pin1 and the painted strip ensures that it's not twisted). A criticism in a review is that pin 20 on it has not been removed so would have to be removed/bent, but that's doable , the procedure is " You clip the pin by using a small set of wire cutters or grabbing the pin with needle nose pliers and bend it back and forth until it breaks off preferably flush with the plastic so there is no way for it to make contact." as described in a post here +1 for the principle though!
The cable is this product on amazon Micro-SATA-Cables-44-Pin-Converter
You won't have to bother with further gender changers.
There is a descriptive set up of pin 1 on the below diagram and a link to a potentialy better suited product here at cablesOnline.com 6" 44-Pin Female to Male IDE True Extension
Note the interweave of the ribbon on the female end. So a stright cable like the first example may not be proper and thus the poor reviews and performance of the product to include incorrect pin 1 and pin 2 along with pins 43 and 44 orientation. This possibly cased the drive damage the reviewers were talking about.