Sata Power Connector/ Signal Connector

[Pinoyzoi]

I was looking around my power supply and I noticed that I have a SATA power connector plug for my dvd harddrive, but it seems like I dont have a plug to put in my Signal Connector.

 

Do I need to buy a signal connector and if so Where can I buy it?

 

Can someone explain to me what the Power connector and Signal connector does?

I am guessing the signal connector is only for the light signal when im using the dvd drive, and am I required to plug both to get my dvddrive to work?

 

Thanks I am very noob

[LIGHTNING UK!]

A drive just needs power and an sata cable.

 

One comes from the power supply (the power cable!) and the other comes from the SATA controller on the motherboard.

 

Are you saying you don't have both of those?

[Pinoyzoi]

A drive just needs power and an sata cable.

 

One comes from the power supply (the power cable!) and the other comes from the SATA controller on the motherboard.

 

Are you saying you don't have both of those?

 

I can only find a sata cable that fits in the Power connector, but I cant find a smaller Sata cable that fits in the Signal connector. My computer is pretty old from 2004, so I have no idea if it came with another sata cable.

Edited April 8, 2011 by Pinoyzoi

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Obviously it won't be an actual cable that you're looking for, just an SATA port on the motherboard. You'd then buy and connect an SATA cable between the two.

 

If you don't have any SATA ports on your motherboard you'll have to buy a PCI card that offers some. Look for one that uses the Silicon Image 3112 / 3114 / 3512 (probably your best option) chipset - there are normally loads on ebay.