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I have several USB Harddrive cases that I use frequently. I simply connect the HD and plug it into a USB connector to access the data. However, the harddrive in my TP T61 has a different connector, and so my existing USB Hardrive cases won't work. Is there a name for the connector type on these harddrives? Can I buy a similiar HD to USB cable for these drives? For example, I saw this one on the net, will it work?

Sabrent USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive with Power Adapter (Model USB-DSC5)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=3770

Thanks

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

The hard drive that goes into the T61 has what is called a SATA (Serial ATA) interface. The Sabrent USB adapter you linked to appears to handle both the older parallel ATA (aka, PATA or IDE) drives as well as the newer SATA drives.

Great! Thanks for your help and also the quick response.

jhrBanker wrote:I have several USB Harddrive cases that I use frequently. I simply connect the HD and plug it into a USB connector to access the data. However, the harddrive in my TP T61 has a different connector, and so my existing USB Hardrive cases won't work. Is there a name for the connector type on these harddrives? Can I buy a similiar HD to USB cable for these drives? For example, I saw this one on the net, will it work?

Sabrent USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5-Inch/ 3.5-Inch / 5.25-Inch Drive with Power Adapter (Model USB-DSC5)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=3770

Thanks

I actually just 'dissected' a WD 320 GB External USB HDD to add the drive into my T61. I also did a CLONE of my 100GB 7200 original HDD by putting the WD into the T61 and the original HDD connected to the Circuit board of the USB hdd. PS: With Acronis True Image Echo Server ofcourse