Reddit reviews StarTech.com IDE to SATA Hard Drive or Optical Drive Adapter Converter - 40-Pin PATA to 2.5" SATA HDD / SSD / ODD Converter (IDE2SAT2)

Buy this one, and see if it alleviates the problems.. if not return it.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542770079&sr=1-3&keywords=startech+ide+sata

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Look at this picture on that ebay page, does that inspire confidence in what they're selling ?

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https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5gwAAOSwEARbIPnJ/s-l1600.jpg

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These are almost 100% made from salvaged parts /capacitors.

1. I went with this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013QFRS2S/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522885721&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wd+2tb+hdd&dpPl=1&dpID=519l6PabkxL&ref=plSrch. Works great!
   
   
   Also note that you’ll need a data adapter to use the drive. I recommend this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EOJNGC2/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1522885867&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=startech+sata+adapter
   
   Also will need a Molex Y power splitter and an 80 wire ide cable (upgraded from the stock 40 pin) Everything all together should be around $75.
   
   I reccomend using Chimp to clone your hard drive since you have a 1.6 and can’t tsop. I watched this video and it told me everything I needed:
   https://youtu.be/lBC9599ww6I
   
   
2. As you stated before, JCRocky5 has his softmod package which you can burn to a dvd-r and easily install xbmc and set it as your main dashboard.
   
   
3. Tbh not many people I know do the ram upgrade, it’s uses are limited but would help a bit with some emulators. The 2 popular snes emus run fantastic without the ram upgrade, as does the genesis, gba, and nes. The psx and n64 ones are a bit more finnicky, but many of the popular games have compatibility settings which make the games run quite well.
   
   Number 4 I’ll let someone more experienced help on.

This is the IDE to SATA adapter that is recommended on this sub: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2

You can't use the original grey IDE cable that comes in the stock xbox if you upgrade to a modern SATA drive with the above adapter. You'll need to pick up an 80 wire one. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IDF0JC

Personally, I have a 2TB drive (WD20EZRZ) in mine - plenty of space for everything.

Here's the video on how to partition it on the xbox: https://youtu.be/6wsGjDOOAP0

That's a good chunk of the info for upgrading the hard drive. I use a modchip so that I can run it unlocked and don't have to worry about anything.

Install the modchip and HDD, then boot up the latest Hexen disc. It should be able to build your new drive for you. Then you configure your bios to point to the xbe that you want to boot into and then re-flash it to the modchip.

You should then boot to that xbe when you reboot the xbox.

Check out XBMC-Emustation also. Takes time to get it fully setup, but it's the best dash (in my opinion)!

...and no - installing an SSD will not do anything positive for you.

Halo=3.4GB, Halo 2=4.4GB, GTA San An=2.9GB, DJFFNY=2.8GB, SW KOTOR=3.7GB, Battle for Bikini Bottom=1.7GB. I'd say average is maybe 2 to 3.5GB. All these sizes I listed are in xbe format, ftp'd to hdd.

I put a 2TB in mine, and I can now see it was overkilll for what I wanted. I have a few more modded xbox's I'm gonna upgrade soon, and planned on going with 500GB, but the 1TB is only a few bucks more, so I'm gonna do that.

I used these parts...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013QFRS2S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJNGC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IDF0JC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The adapter comes with a molex splitter, so you dont need to buy one if you go that route. I've read that the HDE adapter also works, but is 50/50 on if you get a working one, so that's the only reason I went with Startech. I'm very happy with that 80 wire cable, also. Before ordering, I read countless reviews of other cables being crap, and not being a tight connection, or even having a connector that works. This one is awesome, its a little snug, and hard to bend, but I eventually got it in there and look semi professional. The 3 connectors are spaced a little weird for xbox, so you can only use it one way, and just barely have enough spacing between the hdd cradle and dvd drive. The cable is very firm, I was worried it was going to be low quality, but its nice.

Here is an outdated upgraded hdd list to browse through... http://xboxdrives.x-pec.com/?p=list

Next time, I'm gonna try the WD10EZEX. I've read it works fine.

I have the following games installed and am only using 94.2GB.

GB-569, GBA-1140, GBC-564, N64-212, GENESIS-810, NES-820, SNES-787, XBOX-27, PSX-5.

Since this is my main xbox, I'm gonna eventually load it down with as many original xbox titles as I can find. After that, I've read that CoinOps and Final Burn are worth checking out, so thats also on the list. Once I find out the games I like, I'm gonna make the 1TB purely for games I enjoy, nothing extra. I do love the Favorites tab in Rocky's Emustation, makes finding a game you love out of thousands very easy.

I haven't found out how to get the PSX games to show up in emustation yet, but I know it has to do with the bin/cue area. The bin's are large files, but the cues are only 1kb. I think I saw Rocky post somewhere saying you have to load from cue's, but I'm not sure how.

If you are into N64 at all, check out EarthWormJames' 212 pack. Very sweet. I can link you in pm if needed.

To upgrade the softmod, use this Quick Upgrade from Rocky5's Softmodding Tool. You just FTP it to your the root of the E partition and run the default.xbe file. If you haven't nulled your EEPROM, you need to do that as well so if the HDD dies, you can easily replace it. You can run Rocky5's Softmodding Tool Extras Disc from your HDD or use ConfigMagic to do that.

Also, if you have a SATA HDD dock or some kind of SATA to USB adapter, nulling the EEPROM would allow you to easily build an upgrade HDD on your PC for the Xbox. You may even be able to hook the HDD directly into another slot in your computer, but I can't remember. I want to say yes on that though. Anyway, you'd use XboxHDM2USB beta 3 to do that.

OR, you can use Chimp 261812 to clone your HDD to a larger one. You will need a molex splitter, IDE to SATA adapter; this one is recommended a lot but others work too. And you will need a 40-pin 80 wire IDE cable; 24 inches is recommended. You'll boot you Xbox as normal, load Chimp, and it will tell you when to hot swap the DVD drive with your HDD you're upgrading to. It's pretty straightforward.

As for the DVD drive, they are interchangeable between Xbox consoles and are not locked to the motherboard. I don't know much about those, but you can try cleaning the laser or adjusting it doing a laser pot tweak. I think that's what it's called. Someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in on that.

And lastly, since it's pretty much obligatory here, remove the clock capacitor in your Xbox if it hasn't been removed and your Xbox isn't a revision 1.6 or 1.6/b.

You can buy an adapter that will allow you to use any SATA drive. However, you won't get full SATA speeds because you're limited to the speed of the IDE bus (which is about 100 MB/s). Some people have put in an SSD drive and noticed a little speed increase, but it won't be major like installing an SSD in a desktop/laptop computer. A normal SATA 3.5" drive has been fast enough for me. Load times are really quick.

This is the one that usually gets recommended

An IDE to SATA adapter, so you can use a hard drive or SSD that isn't 10+ years old and ready to kick the bucket.

I've had good luck using this one, just make sure you also replace the ribbon cable with an 80-conductor cable.

StarTech IDE2SAT2 and a 24" long 80-wire 80-pin high-speed IDE cable.

I did it with 15 of these: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484592258&sr=8-1&keywords=startech+ide+to+sata


I electrical taped every caddy, cut some wires off those adapters, screwed in the HDD's and it works just fine! I get 100MB/s read / write in RAID 5 which is tapping out that gigabit port.

Getting the right card / cables was a PITA. Also getting an OS installed on such old hardware was painful as well.

I did it more as a hobby project and just like the pretty lights


I use this for VM Backup.

I wouldn't buy a used hard drive.

I like Seagate drives, but any SATA drive should work with:

THIS CABLE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I21Y28/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

AND THIS ADAPTER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJNGC2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

StarTech.com IDE to SATA Hard Drive or Optical Drive Adapter Converter - 40-Pin PATA to 2.5 inches SATA HDD / SSD / ODD Converter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mybVBb60ETMAQ

I would really encourage you to think about upgrading the hard drive after you softmod it. Playing backed games on discs can get expensive since most of the games are 6gb+. Even a 80gb IDE drive would be a massive help!

The hardest part of modding is finding a flash drive that works.

What you will need.

Flash Drive (should work)

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Blade-drive-SDCZ50-004G/dp/B002U213Y8/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539785044&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sandisk+cruzer+blade+4gb&dpPl=1&dpID=411nUnjz9eL&ref=plSrch


Usb to xbox controller port

https://www.amazon.com/Mcbazel-Xbox-Converter-Adapter-Original-Console/dp/B076HHZ41Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539784602&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=xbox+controller+to+usb+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=41y27JttbeL&ref=plSrch#

Sata to IDE adapter (If you upgrade hard drive)


https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1539784695&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sata+to+ide+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=51styPntUEL&ref=plSrch

80 connector IDE cable

https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Cable-Device-Conductor-inch/dp/B000I21Y28/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539784965&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=80+connector+IDE+cable&dpPl=1&dpID=41gZKwD33jL&ref=plSrch

Use the Rocky 5 mod and youtube tutorial and you will be fine!

1. I'm not sure if your drive is lockable or not but most SATA drives are.
   
2. Chimp will format the partitions for you. (C,E,F,G etc.)
   
3. There's a Startech adapter that seems to be the most reliable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=twister_B01JZ8Z7C8
   
4. Chimp will format the drive to FATX for you.
   
   The adapter has jumper settings for master/slave/and cable select. When cloning your original drive you'll want to set the adapter to slave. You'll also need an 80 wire IDE cable. Using the original 40 wire cable doesn't work with SATA drives.
   
   Lastly you'll need a molex Y splitter to power both hard drives at the same time while cloning. Also make sure you have an original Microsoft controller. I've heard 3rd party controllers don't work with Chimp, though I can't verify this since all my controllers are Microsoft S controllers.

I've used these, but Startech makes a nice higher quality one

IDE hard drives were the standard back in the ps2 era and today, they're really hard to find and extremely limited when it comes to max capacity compared to today's standard, SATA.

A better option is to pick up this compact IDE to SATA adapter from StarTech (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ZWYDybGVEG2KF)

I got one for both my softmodded ps2 and chipped og Xbox and it allowed me to connect a modern day 2TB 2.5" SATA hard drive perfectly. The HDD and adapter fits inside the ps2 enclosure with room to spare. A much better option than spending a fortune on a larger old IDE hard drive on eBay.

> This is the adapter I'm using: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJNGC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent, those red StarTechs are much more reliable.

> I'm sure this would all turn out fine if I could just get something to boot.

I suppose the question is, is there anything of value to you that's currently only stored on the original HDD?

>Error 13 with the new drive is at least a good sign in that it indicates that the TSOP flash went ahead just fine. I assume you're seeing the purple EvoX shield during the flubber sequence, as well.

That's correct.

>Presumably you're using a PATA to SATA adapter: even if you can confirm that's working in, say, a PC, doesn't mean it'll work in an Xbox. The green ones in particular tend to cause problems (and have been doing so since we first started putting SATA drives in these consoles).

This is the adapter I'm using: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJNGC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Additionally, I recently tried a third hard drive, which was IDE and thus did not need an adapter. Error 13. I think we can conclude that the adapter itself is not causing this.

>But the fact that you're unable to boot with the original HDD suggests that something might be up with a PATA socket elsewhere. Inspect all of them for bent pins - especially the sockets on the DVD drive and motherboard. Also try waiting on the Xbox logo longer - it should progress (even if to an error screen) if you wait long enough. Can take up to about a half hour in some cases.

I have not been able to find any bent pins.

>Also try waiting on the Xbox logo longer - it should progress (even if to an error screen) if you wait long enough. Can take up to about a half hour in some cases.

You'd think that, but no. There have been times when I've left the Xbox on that screen for quite a while. Nothing ever happens, except the screen dims a little bit early on. In fact, it's on that screen as we speak. Been there for 10 minutes. I won't touch it for the next hour just so we have definitive data on that point.

>Also check that your HDDs (and adapter if present) are each jumpered as master.

They are. And I have previously tried all the settings on each hard drive, including cable select.

I'm sure this would all turn out fine if I could just get something to boot. The guy in the video (linked in OP) does it. He gets error 13, puts in a Hexen disc, turns it off and on again, and boots fine. I don't understand why I can't do that.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073CKHX7X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Is the IDE cable I went with, it does seem to have 80 pins when I look at it.

I'll try connecting the sata drive with the ide adapter to a pc in the meantime to see what happens.

EDIT: My BIOS sees the xbox hd connected to the pc's IDE port. Macrinum Reflect doesn't see the drive though, but it's there in device manager. I tried to boot clonezilla from the PC and I just got ATA errors and I couldn't go anywhere. The xbox drive is good as it works just fine with the xbox transferring files via FTP.

I tried the sata drive with the IDE adapter attatched and the computer doesn't see it. I'm going to go with this startech adapter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOJNGC2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 before I try the TSOP mod.

Thanks guys

weird, they usually work if led is on.

but as its that seller id still wager its that still.

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i get mine from ebay off diff sellers as some update the item to the newer one the chinese are making that doesnt have the master slave jumper pins which i dont want. had one doa out of about six so far, of the older type.. but that amazon seller seems like 50% of his dont work on average atm lol.

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if you want better quality get the startech one for 15 quid.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=startech+ide+to+sata&qid=1557474690&s=electronics&sr=1-3#customerReviews

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theres some other higher quality ones around that price too that kaosengineer knows the names off, i'l search for his post quick.

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did you double check the cable connections and adapto connection to hdd?

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actually thinking back to the person the other day, both of his were dead too, so i stil bet its the adaptors.

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also did you check drive in your pc before you put in xbox?

I also bought the HDE two pack. My experience has been:

Buy 2TB WD Blue drive. This works and locked successfully, after I got through the adapter issues below, on a 1.1 Xbox.

HEXIN - Freezes drive security (can't lock/unlock), and Chimp can't see it. Might work with an external USB enclosure, but I don't have one to test with. Works fine after you get the drive locked, though I had to use the 40-pin IDE cables for some reason, otherwise I get Error 13.

Startech - Chimp saw this, so I was able to clone my existing drive and lock it, but it refused to start, giving me Error 07 with both the 40- and 80-pin cables.

HDE - Bought these after the Startech didn't work. I don't know if they freeze the drive security like the HEXIN did, but they also give me Error 07 with both cables when trying to start the Xbox.

So to summarize, I had to use the Startech adapter to clone and lock it, and the HEXIN adapter with the 40-pin cable to have it boot.

Also this is the comment someone else referenced containing the link to HDE. Since the Ebay page doesn't exist anymore, people buy the HDE adapters.

Max you will spent is like $45

If the 500 is a sata, you will need this
StarTech.com IDE to SATA Hard Drive or Optical Drive Adapter Converter - 40-Pin PATA to 2.5 inches SATA HDD / SSD / ODD Converter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fG9SBb9279YFR

Power splitter
CY IDE 4p to dual IDE Y Splitter 10cm hard disk Power supply Extension Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K06XEK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PH9SBbJ9E0XFK

USB to Xbox
NEORTX USB Adapter Cable for Xbox (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMCJB4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tI9SBbXZK36D0

The hardest part is getting a jump drive that will work... If you have something that can be measured in MBs not GBs it pretty much gaurenteed to work... I went to a mom and pop PC store who also fixes pcs to find one

In all seriousness, I (plus many other people here) would just recommend installing a big HDD and using that to play games.

Here's what I've used:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Cache-Desktop-Drive-WD10EZEX/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=WD+Caviar+Blue&qid=1550341281&s=gateway&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3FG5A4UU7UKTH&keywords=startech+ide+to+sata+adapter&qid=1550341294&s=gateway&sprefix=Startech+IDE+t%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-wire-Drive-Ribbon-Cable/dp/B0126SUXAK/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=80+wire+IDE&qid=1550341366&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Just done my first hard drive upgrade (and aged about 10 years in the process). I bought two adapters, the red StarTech one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

And this green one branded "VGEBY":

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XW6LN6T/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

Long story short, the StarTech would boot to stock dash, but the DVD drive would no longer load any games. Tried with 40 and 80 wire IDE cables. Xbox just said it couldn't recognise the disk. The green one works perfectly with an 80 wire cable. Avoid the StarTech.

2TB WD Green
80 wire IDE
Disk prepared in Windows 10 using a USB to SATA enclosure and running xboxhdm23usb.

I guess you're right, pretty much all of the drives i've found are old/expensive. Do you reckon that these would do the job?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drive-3-Connector-Ribbon-Cable-Yellow/dp/B016EILOTM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1473009164&sr=8-5&keywords=80+pin+ide

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-Pin-PATA-SATA-Adapter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1473008959&sr=8-18&keywords=sata+ide+adapter

Very strange, I have used multiple different SATA drives(SSD/SSHD/HDD) and converters and never really had an issue.

I can tell you from my own experience that these converters work perfectly:

More expensive Delock
http://www.delock.de/produkte/S_61702/merkmale.html?setLanguage=en


And Cheaper chinese generic
ttps://www.ebay.com/itm/PATA-IDE-TO-SATA-Converter-Adapter-Plug-Play-7-15-Pin-3-5-2-5-SATA-HDD-DVD-VM-/253335440412

Other people have had good results with the Startech, uses the same chip as the Delock.
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2

Not entirely sure what you mean. Are you referring to the cheaper adapters that short out? This is the one I am using: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2

They went from MFM ribbon to IDE ribbon and I seem to remember I had a sata 5.25" once.

There were typically three connectors on the ribbon, two for floppy drives (with a twist in it to assign one as the first) and then a connector for the board. IDE was a pin connector edge and MFM was a card edge.

There are connectors to convert IDE to sata if you go that route: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Drive-Optical-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00EOJNGC2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ide+to+sata+adapter&qid=1570317468&s=electronics&sr=1-4