Weird Sata Power Connector?

[NotTechyBoy]

Hi, this is probably the most ignorant post in the history of Tom's hardware forum. I already searched the whole internet for this but I can't come up with an answer because its way too hard to describe.

Situation: I was just about to check if I can add a 2nd hard drive to my desktop since it has a small capacity of 160 gb. Then I went and opened my desktop and found out that the currently used hard drive is not in the right place. And when I checked the right place, I found a hard drive(looks really old) which also has 160 GB of capacity. (I srsly dont know why its there since this desktop was only given to me by my brother).I was glad I was saved from the effort of buying a new hard drive (If this hard drive really is functional). So I checked an additional power connector for it but I didn't found one. So I inspected all connections from my psu if I can accidentally find one. But I was surprised when I saw this weird connector. It's literally found between my psu and my sata power connector. Im not new to electronics since its a specialization in my school but this thing surprised me since I never saw one. To describe it, it's like a connector splitter. That's right. But the source is a sata power connector(it's not connected to anything) then splitted into another sata power connector and the other side is connected to the psu.

My questions:
1. What is this???
2. Is it okay if I connect it the unused hard drive at the same time connected to the current hard drive?

That's all, thanks in advance!

P.s. sorry if this question is not in the right place but I believe it's related to memory and sata.

 

[manleysteele]

It is exactly what it appears to be, which is a device for gaining more power connectors in a system that has too few. You can, indeed, use it to provide power to a second device. That's the good news.

If I were in your situation, I would ask my brother about the additional hard drive. There may be a good reason it is not connected. Also, you will need to locate a second sata control port and a sata cable if you intend to connect a second sata device. Your system may have plenty available or you may have to figure something out.

 

[NotTechyBoy]

@manleysteele Thanks for the answer. Also I already knew about the sata cable and the sata control port. I have about 2 port available. And I dont have a cable. Before I buy I think I should know if the drive is functional first. Thanks for the help!