Both local computer stores dont sell PATA-to-SATA saying its unreliable

[fromage]

I've been running one on my computer(a 120gb western digital 8mb) with the serillel from my abit nf7-s rev. 2.0 for over 6 months.

Both local computer stores(small franchises) don't carry ANY PATA-to-SATA, 1 said it was unreliable and will destroy my data, yet I've been running 24/7 for the past 6 months with no problems whatsoever and the other didn't explain why they don't have it.

Is this true or is it just something they made up, but the one guy was pretty strong on his stance...


And is it me, or does all online retailers just sell the SATA power adapter and not the actual IDE-to-SATA adapater?

[EnderW]

if I'm not mistaken, most SATA hard drives aren't native SATA, with the exception of the Seagate 7200.7 series, so I wouldn't think reliability would be an issue

[aug1516]

I have not heard of any reliablility issues and plenty of people are running them and have been for quite some time. I'm thinking that the "technicans" are misinformed or had a bad experience with one. The adapters do seem to be quite rare in the online market, not sure why. Could be that there are very few companies that make them. The only one I can name off the top of my head is Abit.

[brycejones]

High Point Technologies also makes a PATA to SATA adapter.

[fromage]

Thanks for the input guys.

Not cool. :(

[M11]

Highpoint's converter is very reliable. I have yet to have any problems whatsoever, nor have I heard of these horror stories that this guy speaks about.

[Ekim19]

I just picked up an NF7-S, and a 120gb SATA drive. I'm thinking of buying a 120gb PATA drive, and use the Serillel to run the two on a RAID 1 (mirroring) array. Is this a good idea, or will I encounter any issues??

[xonik]

I wouldn't build a mission-critical file server with adapters either. The extra conversion step involved adds more opportunities for electrical noise messing with the integrity of the data transfer, especially while the data is in parallel form. Also, the additional traces and contacts add unnecessary electrical resistance. Will this guarantee failure in your setup? Not likely, but he's covering his ass, and for legitimate reasons.

As with any setup, you should have a backup system in place. I don't care if you have the most ideal setup, or this "risky" setup involving adapters, you should take care of your important data at least.

[fromage]

I agree on the mission critical part. But this drive is far from mission crititcal. :D

You don't have much important data if you happen to reformat every 6 weeks.

[Ice Czar]

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=761272 specifically > http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/atafaq/

whenever adding a new interface, test it
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=742083

not all, drives, bridge cards, cables, busmaster drivers, ect are created equal
there are a number of places where issues can creep in
from signal degredation short of actual corrption but with performance consequences (though minor) to.....


I just like being able to see jenna jameson without huge pixelated neon green corruptions all over her.

the highpoint bridge cards are well known as reliable
but thats just a single component