[SOLVED] What connector is this on this hard drive? *pics (Toshiba MK1503GAL)

iKokomo

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Mar 20, 2016
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I found this old mini hard drive from a vintage Sharp laptop. It is much smaller than a standard 2.5" laptop drive. The connector looks either like a CompactFlash or a mini IDE.

My question is, how do I get the data off of this drive? This does not fit in a CompactFlash reader due to the size of the drive.


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Solution
Scratch that. Found the manul for the MK1504GAL

It is using the MCD-d50 Series by DDK Connectors. Links opens directly to manual.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/180307/Toshiba-Mk1504gal.html?page=8#manual

There seem to be plenty of CF to Toshiba 1.8 adapters. But not the reverse. I found one Toshiba 1.8 to 2.5 44pin IDE. I couldn't say if this is absolutely what you need. You'll also really need to pay attention to the pin numbers. As this looks like something super easy to reverse on either side. Leading to near certain death of the HDD and possibly IDE controller or computer.
https://www.cables4computer.com/Har...Drive_to_2.5_IDE_Adapter_for_Toshiba_HDD.html

There's also ZIF adapters and 40 pin IDE...
It might be SCSI. 40 pin for the scsi interface and the remaining 10 for jumper settings (SCSI ID, termination, parity). Given that the connector looks like the cable connector in old Powerbooks with the same 50 pins. Although it's odd that the pins on the drive are female instead of male.

It could be CF as it is 50 pins too. Laptop IDE is 44 pins.

How old is this HDD? Does it have a label on the other side with the model number? It would make it way easier to identify the drive with a good, clear, high res shot of the label.
 
Scratch that. Found the manul for the MK1504GAL

It is using the MCD-d50 Series by DDK Connectors. Links opens directly to manual.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/180307/Toshiba-Mk1504gal.html?page=8#manual

There seem to be plenty of CF to Toshiba 1.8 adapters. But not the reverse. I found one Toshiba 1.8 to 2.5 44pin IDE. I couldn't say if this is absolutely what you need. You'll also really need to pay attention to the pin numbers. As this looks like something super easy to reverse on either side. Leading to near certain death of the HDD and possibly IDE controller or computer.
https://www.cables4computer.com/Har...Drive_to_2.5_IDE_Adapter_for_Toshiba_HDD.html

There's also ZIF adapters and 40 pin IDE adapters. I didn't bother linking the 40 pin IDE I found. As it requires soldering on a 4 pin Molex for power.

The MCD-D50 may be known as 1.8 Toshiba or 1.8 Micro Drive too.
 
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Solution