MB IDE port (plugging in converter to turn it into SATA)

[Flasherly]

Got it working. (They're selling now for like $3US for direct
marketing out of Singapore.)

Have had mine awhile and don't remember what it cost. Small female
50-pin care to insert into MB's ATA/IDE connector. One SATA one PWR
on top. (Right under for getting back in a HD tightly with a rubber
mallet or something. Big smile with a thumbs-up for Mickey Mouse.)

Didn't think it would work but it did with a SATA DVD (didn't at first
install, put it that way). Then the BIOS picks it up somehow;- I'm
not really expecting much. (Yeah - I screwed up BIG TIME when buying
that Gigabtye MB -- equipped with only 2 SATA ports. It's like having
a hand with two missing instead of five fingers.)

DVD drive doesn't open/engage an open drawer function from the push
button, but does that effectively through the drive property of
Windows XP Sys Explorer [eject disc].

Somebody asked me to play an audio CD and my last working PATA DVD
quit. I guess. Stuck in that unknown SATA DVD (LiteOn possibly) with
the converter after scarfing up a pristine Lord of the Rings
2-gold-disc issue for $2 in a pawn shop (plays almost perfect for
stereo only, no down 5.1 conversion, with some video hesitation
evident off the MB's included NVIDA VGA port.)

Also noticed when check prices they've what's called a Bi-Direction
adapter for either/or SATA/PATA. Cost twice the $3 one.

Cheap fix if you need it for old PATA screw-around limitations and get
lucky checking in for a room on an old hag of a MB.

 

[Flasherly]

Got it working.

Oh, yea - that liteon was my last un-installed SATA DVD, so sent for
another out of Newegg.

All the ASUS DVD, all the one's with lots of reviews -- they want
shipping on all plus no sales -- makes for a $30 Puke Me Silly Priced
DVD.

(What's a BR USB writer off Ebay - $40. . . Right.)

Anyway found an ASUS, newer model for $19 shipped on a cupon code
reduced to $15. Cupon expires 4/14.

I've had a lot of troubles with newer DVDs, (post NEC 3XXXX series),
but the last ASUS unit (even says ASUS printed with Big Letters on the
drive door) hasn't given me any grief for its usage life so far on a
one/two year old DVD unit.

(Still got a couple shoeboxes of old DVD writes to ID and transfer to
HDs - knock on wood.)

 

[Flasherly]

Anyway found an ASUS, newer model for $19 shipped on a cupon code
reduced to $15. Cupon expires 4/14.

I've had a lot of troubles with newer DVDs, (post NEC 3XXXX series),
but the last ASUS unit (even says ASUS printed with Big Letters on the
drive door) hasn't given me any grief for its usage life so far on a
one/two year old DVD unit.

Got my new model (unreviewed) $15US/shipped ASUS DVD today and plugged
it in. Bingo, no more troubles. That LiteOn unit, I think, I was
using on the ATA>SATA adaptor marginally first, then, once permanently
mounted altogether stopped engaging an Open Tray Function, either thru
the front bezel or via drive properties (Eject Tray).

Asus, remember the name if you need a DVD;- It'll be written in four
big letters on the front tray caddy (not all apparently care to put
their names on them). (I've had nothing but trouble with LiteOn and
LG units, whereas those ASUS, I've ordered, haven't given me any
grief.)

Next, think I'll try, order from Singapore, a newer version
"bi-directional" Parallel <> SATA adapator. They're kinda kewl for
getting some action out of old parallel-pin ports, and only cost twice
what the old $3US uni-direction, I'm presently using. Provided you
can squeeze in an extra powered mini-card on the cables (had to use
mine directly off the parallel MB port - directly under the hard drive
cage).