On Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:27:40 -0400, Paul wrote:

micky wrote:
A friend wanted to recover files from an old 2 1/2" HDD so I went over
with my USB to SATA/IDE gizmo. I'd used another version of this for 3
1/2" drives, and a 2 1/2 IDE drive, but I had looked at this one and it
has a little SATA connector on it.

The power connector fit, but when it was plugged in the USB/data
connector had no room. So maybe there is power in the data connector
too. But even when the power connector was out, it still didn't fit.

In a rare example of flauning my wealth, I had bought two makes of this
device, but the other one has an identical connector!!!


The first one doesn't even have a brandname, only a model, ADA-2020
and the second one is Inland

All of these in the first two rows except the one with the red plug are
like mine:
https://www.google.com/search?
q=ADA-2020&num=100&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0 ahUKEwiLz6LSorDPAhVMGz4KHSCIBfYQsAQIOQ&biw=1680&bi h=834
The relevant connector is seen in the top left one, the black thing at
the top middle of the blue part.
https://www.google.com/search?q&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%
3ACbsl9UpL3gd5Ijheh7ar3QAOUbNHqpzVt1ArK0a-
JAfbWTaMESLLs0s2jGH_1to_1z3XTxCyWzWdx3yKv5PXsrD2MJ uioSCV6HtqvdAA5REb--P2c-
Z7P7KhIJs0eqnNW3UCsRZMlkQ9B8f_1cqEgkrRr4kB9tZNhGta MPS5gltOyoSCYwRIsuzSzaMEXO7qbYIYG-
HKhIJYf-2j_1PddPERdhrzFYmRJ9sqEgkLJbNZ3HfIqxHta3N0L1HDkSoS Cfk9eysPYwm6EftueFtbzrSw&tbo=u&bih=834&biw=1680&ve d=0ahUKEwij19vzo7DPAhWBOT4KHZsZBy4Q9C8ICQ&dpr=1
Here's a bigger pictu
https://www.amazon.com/GEARXS-COM-AD...earXS-Adapter-
ADA2020OTB/dp/B003FFJN3M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

The relevant part looks the same on the other one. Here is the other
one though the picture is not worth looking at:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/373131/3_in_1_SATA-
IDE_to_USB_20_adapter


Maybe you need to run a regular SATA data cable, from the dongle to the
drive. Then, plug in the provided power connector ? That may leave a bit
more room to work.

MicroSATA is normally used on 1.8" drives.

The 2.5" and 3.5" drives use the same SATA connector.

I was trying to follow what was going on to try and figure out what the
OP's problem was since I have a similar adapter bought from "Maplin
Man" (so nicknamed on account the bulk of his electronic goodies
consisted of Maplin's customer returns) in a local flea market for 4 or 5
quid. I actually bought a second one for good measure and as insurance
against discovering why they may have been returned.

As I understood it, the problem was a lack of the peripheral cables (a
short SATA data cable and the SATA power cable???). Anyway, he sorted it
and the point is now moot. However, none of the pictures were clear
enough to indicate how the power connection options (SATA or 4 pin Molex)
were implemented. I can only assume that a 12v wallwart feeds the adapter
and a switching converter generates the 5 volts as per the Maplin one
shown he http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/idesata-to-usb-20-a35fq

Inconveniently, even when magnified the view of the sockets on the side
don't make their nature very obvious to those unfamiliar with it in the
flesh. As seen in the magnified image, the dark slot closest to the USB
fly-lead end is the SATA data cable socket and the other socket showing a
white glint is actually one of those 4 pin FDD power sockets into which
you plug the combined 4 pin Molex and SATA power lead (the white glint is
the plastic tongue of the FDD 4 pin power connector).

Now I mention this because I eventually discovered why Maplin's
customers had returned them. Initially, both units seemed to work just
fine but I started noticing problems a few months down the line which
seemed to be cured by unplugging and re-plugging the drive power cable
into the converter's drive power socket.

In the end, I realised the problem was simply due to "Designer
Incompetence" since the FDD power connector simply wasn't able to handle
the loading presented by 3 1/2 inch desktop drives and was suffering
burnt contacts. My solution was simply to eliminate the FDD power
connector altogether and solder the wires directly to the adapter's PCB
in a move that would have made any self respecting penny pinching bean
counter proud. Indeed, just for once, bean counter interference would
have saved the day in cancelling out the designer's mistake. Not
something I expected to ever see myself typing in my own lifetime.

Once I'd fixed it, I never had any more anomalous behaviour again with
working drives. The strange thing is, considering you had to plug the
power lead into the same socket regardless, was why did they bother
making that lead detachable when the adapter was already encumbered with
a permanently attached USB fly-lead. One more fly-lead wouldn't have been
a problem (it has to be plugged in *every* time it's used anyway).

Anyhow, I have a feeling that other similar adapters may also be cursed
with an FDD connector (possibly including the OP's one) and I figured
those folk and owners of the Maplin one, who now have them stuffed in a
drawer going unused due to poor reliability, would appreciate my
experience in turning this particular pig's ear into a silk purse. :-)

--
Johnny B Good