Need help from computer whizes

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Texatdurango

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It looks like the power supply to my Sony desktop just died and I have searched everywhere for a replacement with no luck. Looks like the only power supplies available are from Sony themselves and run $198.

The computer, a Sony Viao, is probably 7 or 8 years old so and while a nice size tower with lots of features, probably isn't near as powerful as what's available these days so I'm thinking of just buying a new desktop and possibly using my hard drives from the old machine.


My question: The two drives I have are SATA drives and are 160GB and 200GB in size. Does anyone know if there is a cable of sorts with SATA data and power plugs on one end and a USB socket on the other, making the drives "portable" or external"?

I've got a LOT of data stored on these drives and retrieving it over to a new system is my #1 concern and I don't know if the new machines use SATA connections or not.

Any help/advice would be appreciated since all my data is basically in limbo. I did backup my data...... from drive C to drive D, but both are SATA drives.

Thanks
 
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Or if I am not mistaken you can go to best buy with those 2 hard drives and they can put them on a single external HD. That is what I use, for the pictures and music. I think you can get a tetra for 70 bucks. I don't know if they will still back that stuff up and how much they charge, but it may be worth a shot.
 
Best place for computer hardware : http://newegg.com

$200 for a power supply is ridicules unless you are building a very nice rig. Just another company trying to take advantage of someone. Should be no reason to have the exact power supply they gave you, just has to have the connections you need.


As for the drives current computers technology still uses sata connections. You're probably on a slower version of sata than today but it's not a big deal. You just have to be sure that the motherboard of the new computer has enough sata ports, and room in case to hold your drives. Then it's as simple as installing the drives in the new machine.
 
You can go with an external hdd enclosure or you can use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812226001
I used one for several years and well worth the money. If you are buying a new pc the other option is to add the drives to it.
If you want to keep your old pc you can find a after market power supply. It may be a little smaller but as long as the power rating is the same or a little higher you will be fine.
 
You could try Mouser Electronics. I bought an $8.00 fan and have gotten 2 3" catalogs in the mail since. All kinds of electronics and stuff.
 
Well, the good news is that SATA is still being used in new PC's, at least the ones I have been looking at so as long as they have an open bay, I can slip one drive in at a time to retrieve data.

I like the adapter qballishere mentioned though. I have several older 2.5 and 3.5 hard drives from older PC's and laptops that might be useful for storing files but with the new PC's and their terabyte drives, I might never need the extra storage.

Decisions...... decisions..... I hate making decisions anymore!:smile:

I forgot all about Fryes! Next week we're visiting Phoenix so I might take my power supply in to one of their stores there and see if they can match something up that will work. THe Sony desktop was top of the line in it's day and I'd hate to just trash it because of the power supply.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
 
Texatdurango said:
THe Sony desktop was top of the line in it's day and I'd hate to just trash it because of the power supply.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Click to expand...


The problem with computers is the technology advances so fast that computer hardware and power from years ago is pretty much worthless. In the end though it still all depends what you 'do' with it. I work my machines much harder than the 'average' person. I build a new work machine every 2-2.5 years. Slave boxes I keep around another 2 years and by that time you pretty much can't even sell the hardware off on ebay or craigslist.

If you want to keep the sony you should easily be able to get a power supply to fit it for $50.00 -- However, it being that old it would not surprise me if the board fails soon. The caps are probably already leaking considering it's age.
 
can you take a picture of the Power Supply? Inside the case and outside the case? Trying to see if it is a standard size (type) ps or some proprietary one
 
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Rob73 said:
If you want to keep the sony you should easily be able to get a power supply to fit it for $50.00 -- However, it being that old it would not surprise me if the board fails soon. The caps are probably already leaking considering it's age.
Click to expand...

Isn't that what the caps lock is for?:biggrin:

Good luck in Phoenix, George.
 
Texatdurango said:
It looks like the power supply to my Sony desktop just died and I have searched everywhere for a replacement with no luck. Looks like the only power supplies available are from Sony themselves and run $198.

The computer, a Sony Viao, is probably 7 or 8 years old so and while a nice size tower with lots of features, probably isn't near as powerful as what's available these days so I'm thinking of just buying a new desktop and possibly using my hard drives from the old machine.


My question: The two drives I have are SATA drives and are 160GB and 200GB in size. Does anyone know if there is a cable of sorts with SATA data and power plugs on one end and a USB socket on the other, making the drives "portable" or external"?

I've got a LOT of data stored on these drives and retrieving it over to a new system is my #1 concern and I don't know if the new machines use SATA connections or not.

Any help/advice would be appreciated since all my data is basically in limbo. I did backup my data...... from drive C to drive D, but both are SATA drives.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you know the wattage and the form factor, there is probably a PSU available that will work.

One other thing you might look into - I had a PSU fan go and that caused the PSU to overheat and kicked in a safety shut off. Had to replace the fan and it cost me $12.00. $2.00 for the fan and $10.00 shipping. My computer was built in the same time frame that you're talking about.
 
On line backup

I am far from expert on this but I think you can find places to back everything up on line. You should then be able to retreive it on a new computer.
 
I bought from PCMicrostore a kit that will allow you to use IDE or SATA drives through a USB port SKU 2535S Description USB 2.0 to SATA + IDE Adapter w/OTB New. This will allow you to use any IDE or SATA drive outboard through a USB 2.0 port.
Charles
 
Could be the power supply or the DC jack on the laptop itself. You can check the voltage coming out of the supply with a meter. If you need a replacement, check EBay or go to Radio Shack and check into their universal power supplies. Just make sure you have the laptop with you... ;)

Get an external enclosure for the laptop drives to transfer data as others have mentioned.

Let me know if you need any help via a PM.

Tom
 
the problem with sony is they are really into proprietary sizes and standards for there products you may have an easy problem to fix with a 15 dollar ebay power supply but there are alternatives like buying a atx case with a power supply 30 - 2000 dollars depending on what you want probably the 30 would be fine take a pic of the inside of your case hi def to see all the plugs and make good use of a sharpie and masking tape and tranfer all of the components out of the old box and into the new sounds hard but not really (lots of youtube tuts on this) and you have got a working pc with new body
 
hewunch said:
can you take a picture of the Power Supply? Inside the case and outside the case? Trying to see if it is a standard size (type) ps or some proprietary one
Click to expand...

This is not my supply but an identical image from another website. I can't supply a photo myself since the memory card in my camera won't fit in the laptop I'm using...:frown:

For those who are saying power supplies are readily available, try googling this baby and see what happens. :smile: All I found were $189 and up. It is a Delta Electronic DPS-400LB A 400 Watt Power Supply or what Sony likes to call it...1-468-851-13.
8d8a102ed9087d4339347f78583683a7569283db.JPG
 
I pm'd you. I have 4 of them on a shelf in my office that I swapped out of a client's machines. They are older, but were still working when I took them out.

I'll give you one and a spare.

Sharon
 
sbwertz said:
I pm'd you. I have 4 of them on a shelf in my office that I swapped out of a client's machines. They are older, but were still working when I took them out.

I'll give you one and a spare.

Sharon
Click to expand...

Now there is a deal that you will be hard pressed to turn down. Great offer Sharon.
Charles
 
I use a "BlacX" brand sata hdd docking station to use sata drives as an external. Just stick it in the docking port and the computer reads it as an external drive. Works for 2.5 and 3.5 sata drives. Has worked flawlessly for me for about $25 to $30.
 
sbwertz said:
I pm'd you. I have 4 of them on a shelf in my office that I swapped out of a client's machines. They are older, but were still working when I took them out.

I'll give you one and a spare.

Sharon
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for such an offer, PM sent back (be sure and answer the question). Sorry we'll miss each other next week, perhaps another time. Maybe you and your sweetie can take a scenic day trip soon to play in a shop where it's 75 degrees instead of 115! If so, bring a vehicle that can haul some logs! :biggrin:
 
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