Power cable and SATA cable in different "boxes"

Azazwa · 02-18-2011, 08:09 AM

Hi!

I can't get a certain harddrive out of its mounting (screws too tight) , but I want it connected to a different computer. Is it possible to have the harddrive's powercable connected to one computer, and its SATA cable connected to another computer's motherboard? (The powercable is too short to connect it to the other computer.)

Just tell me whether I'm going to blow something up or not. ;-)

roreilly · 02-18-2011, 08:12 AM

The hard drive needs to be grounded to the same computer it's running from. I do not recommend using power from one system
but sata from the other. It will most likely just fail to work, but there may also be a risk of damaging the drive.

Azazwa · 02-18-2011, 08:16 AM

Okay, thanks, I won't try it then.
:-)

Soadyheid · 02-18-2011, 10:59 AM

I don't think you'll damage the drive. I'm using a laptop that has an external SATA socket. i.e. I can attach an external SATA drive with its own PSU (In your case, powered from a different system) I don't see why you should have any difficulty, the probability of earth loops affecting your kit should be minimal if you have the main power connections from adjacent power sockets.

Play Bonny!

hughetorrance · 02-18-2011, 12:53 PM

I have removed hundreds of screws from hard drives and never found one yet that did,nt undo with a correctly fitting screw driver of the exact type...use some elbow grease. (muscle) the screws are screwed into quite thin metal.One trick is to use a soldering iron and touch the screw for about five seconds and then try,and then try again in five minutes if it still wont budge.

Note: the heat expands the screw breaking any seal that may have formed,after five minutes it contracts and then may be looser.