Question What's the best way to connect this hard drive encasing (~20 years old!) to a PC?

[throwaway413]

Looks like it has a USB Type-B plug, and, of all things, a PS/2 mouse connector.
won't let me embed for some reason so here's the link

https://imgur.com/a/XMqo1CY

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/post-XMqo1CY

 

[COLGeek]

Do you know the make/model of the actual device?

 

[punkncat]

Do you have a model number for this device?

My assumption would be the PS2 is power and the "printer" port is data.

 

[throwaway413]

Do you know the make/model of the actual device?

The drive inside is a WD Caviar 800JB. I'm not sure about the encasing.

 

[COLGeek]

@punkncat is very likely correct in terms of the power connection. Do you have that adapter?

If not, the enclosure won't work. You could move the HDD into another enclosure.

Something like this:

https://a.co/d/ihHKNK4

Not sure it is worth it for a 80GB HDD unless you really need something on it, assuming it is still viable.

 

[USAFRet]

The thing on the right is the power.

The USB-B is a standard USB type. Get a proper USB-B to USB-A cable.
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-External-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B00NH13DV2

 

[throwaway413]

Okay, thanks everyone for your answers. One other thing: I only have a USB-B to USB-A cable right now, not the other connection. Is there any risk about connecting the drive to a PC using only the USB connection, simply to see if it gets enough power from that alone? Could it compromise the data inside?

 

[USAFRet]

Okay, thanks everyone for your answers. One other thing: I only have a USB-B to USB-A cable right now, not the other connection. Is there any risk about connecting the drive to a PC using only the USB connection, simply to see if it gets enough power from that alone? Could it compromise the data inside?

It won't work.
That requires the power connection.

 

[throwaway413]

It won't work.
That requires the power connection.

Is it a power connection that plugs into the wall?

 

[USAFRet]

Is it a power connection that plugs into the wall?

Yes.

 

[throwaway413]

Yes.

Okay, thanks. The question at this point is: what cable can I get that runs from the wall to the PS/2 port on the enclosure? And where can I get it?

 

[USAFRet]

Okay, thanks. The question at this point is: what cable can I get that runs from the wall to the PS/2 port on the enclosure? And where can I get it?

From the manufacturer of the enclosure.
Again, that is not a PS/2 port. Even if it looks like it.


If you're not concerned with the contents of the drive, open the case and lets see what the drive connection looks like.
But, not holding out a lot of hope for a 20+ year old, 80GB HDD.

 

[USAFRet]

This is likely the drive inside that enclosure:
https://www.storagereview.com/review/western-digital-caviar-wd800jb

https://www.newegg.com/western-digital-blue-wd800jb-80gb/p/N82E16822144122

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-WD800JB-200RPM-Buffer/dp/B0002F858C

 

[TerryLaze]

Okay, thanks. The question at this point is: what cable can I get that runs from the wall to the PS/2 port on the enclosure? And where can I get it?

Just to be very clear, it's gonna be a power brick that connects to the wall, not just a cable.
The connector is called "Mini DIN Female 6pin" the one that plugs into it would be the same but male. Based on the model you could possibly find the pinout of the power, meaning what voltages go to which pin and you could make your own power.
There is no standard for power over this connector so as everybody already said, otherwise you have to find the original brick from that company.

Just saying because even if the company is still alive they will most probably not have a spare for a 20 year old thing.

 

[Moonstick2]

That you didn't know anything about this requiring an external PSU that plugs into the wall suggests you've never used it before, which in turn suggests it's not your data on the drive...?

Replacement PSUs for things like this can be found, but if you're not sharing the exact full model number of the drive you're on your own in finding one.

 

[Nice Nicer]

The question is, is it IDE, SATA or maybe PATA?

This is likely the drive inside that enclosure:
https://www.storagereview.com/review/western-digital-caviar-wd800jb

If it's a SATA Drive as mentioned here, i would get it Out of the Case, and connect it directly

 

[Nice Nicer]

The question is, is it IDE or SATA?

This is likely the drive inside that enclosure:
https://www.storagereview.com/review/western-digital-caviar-wd800jb

If it's a SATA Drive as mentioned here, i would get it Out of the Case, and Connect it directly