A Closer Look

The Sunbeam SATA/IDE to USB Adapter is an extremely small device that measures only a couple inches square. On top of the adapter there is a small window with a blue LED behind it to show HDD activity. The base of the unit has four small rubber feet to keep it from sliding around when in use.


There are four sides to the adapter, and each one has connections. The first side has SATA data and power connections for 2.5" and 3.5" drives. The second side has a data connection for 3.5" IDE drives, while the third has a data and power connections for 2.5" IDE drives. The fourth side has connections for the USB cable and the power pass-through for the SATA and 2.5" IDE drives.


To supply the SATA and 2.5" IDE drives with power, plug the Berg connector (also known as a floppy power connector) into the side of the unit. (This step is not necessary for 3.5" IDE drives, as it will only need the Molex connector as shown in the next step.) The plug for the power cable gets plugged into the box with the switch. The USB data cable gets plugged into the port next to the Berg connector.


The next step is to plug the drive into the SATA/IDE to USB Adapter. (For clarity, the power cables have been removed.) A SATA drive or a 2.5" IDE drive will pull power directly from the adapter, while a 3.5" IDE needs to be connected directly to the Molex connector.