Will a IDE to SATA converter work or can I find the SATA conection on the mother board?

Question

I have an IDE Hard Drive in my computer and I would like to purchase a SATA hard drive ..

I was told that my computer has 2 sata ports on the motherboard and to look for a small connector with an L shaped Pin in the middle. But I dont see it. Is there a possability my motherboard does not have the SATA connection or am I just missing it?

By the way these are my computer specs:

http://www.support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/specs1.htm#wp1052310

I was also told I can get a converter. if this is my only option do I connect the converter to the 40 pin cable and that is all?

Answer 1

Sigh.  Ok, go to the support page you referenced above. Click on "back to contents page". Click on system setup.

then scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says "Clearing the Cmos" or somthign like that. It should have a rough diagram/drawing of your motherboard.

Look in the lower right. See the blown up bubble that says RTCRST? To the right are four Ram slots. Below the ram slots are two sata ports, one dark gray one white. My guess is the Drak Gray is for your "C" drive or bootable drive.

Answer 2

Your system definately has the SATA connectors.  2 of them (if your info is correct).

You need to look a little harder, you will find them.  If you are still having that much trouble locating them, go to a PC shop and have them show you what they look like.  It will be easier to find that way.

Answer 3

Your motherboard should have at least a couple sata headers, i just upgraded my 6 year old computer and the old MB had 2 of them. Their dimensions are about 2"x1/4" and they're usually black or white. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Yes, you have two sata connections.

Look right hand bottom corner of motherboard, when you remove the side of your computer. (front bottom corner)

On some motherboards they are coloured blue, yellow, orange, white, but are seldom coloured black.