I just installed a samsung trudirect dvd drive on my dell dimension 3000. I had to put in a PCI SATA Controller card and a Sata Power Connector in order to get the data and power cables to plug into the computer. When a disc is inserted it reads it but nothing comes up on the screen.

You are going to need more than a cable to connect a SATA drive to the Dell Dimension 2400's motherboard. The motherboard only supports IDE devices.

Assuming the original power supply, you need either a SATA controller PCI card (and an available slot) and a 4 pin device to 15 pin SATA power converter (like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270313&cm_re=ide_to_sata_adapter-_-12-270-313-_-Product)) or an IDE to SATA data connector (like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119257&cm_re=ide_to_sata_adapter-_-12-119-257-_-Product )

The IDE to SATA data connectors come in a couple of types. Some plug into the 40 pin connector on the motherboard (and you will need a power adapter); others plug into the SATA drive and usually accept the 4 pin device power connector.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(If you have upgraded the power supply to one with SATA power connectors, then you do not need the power adapter.)

If the computer does not have a SATA controller on the motherboard, then you need to purchase a PCI SATA controller and insert it into the PCI expansion slot. You will also need a SATA data cable and a SATA power adapter that converts a 4 wire power connector to a SATA power connector.

Yes you can use a PCI to SATA connector , check this link for the sample of that device that you can use for your computer to add additional SATA connections.

http://www.usb-ware.com/2-port-sata-pci-card-internal.htm

No, not directly. There is no SATA header, (Connector), on the motherboard, and you have no SATA power cable on your power supply.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/techov.htm

HOWEVER, you can buy, and install a SATA Adapter Card, and use a SATA adapter cable, on a certain power cable you have already.

The SATA adapter card goes into any available, (Open), PCI expansion slot on your motherboard.
(White slot on motherboard)

This is an example, (Not an advertisement for said manufacturer, nor website),

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329305&CatId=1455

You will also need a SATA data cable, to hook that SATA DVD player up to a SATA adapter card.
(7-pin connector on each end of the cable)

As said, you can convert a certain power cable on your power supply into a SATA power cable. (15-pin connector, on the SATA end of the cable)

The power cable is a Peripheral power cable. It will have a 4-pin Molex connector on the end.

If you have an unused Peripheral power cable, an adapter power cable plugs onto it. The other end of the cable has the SATA power connector. (15-pin)

Will give examples of a Peripheral power cable, and a SATA adapter cable, in an additional comment.

You will need a Sata Power Connector: see http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=SATA_power for example

It does not. You can get PCI SATA Controller cards that work nicely though. Adaptec is always nice, but Promise offers a cheap, decent alternative. If you are just installing one drive you do not need RAID, which will cut your costs considerably.

The drive you are installing is a SATA drive. The system came with a PARALLEL ATA or PATA optical drive, The motherboard has a SATA controller and the HDD is a SATA drive. So you need a SATA data cable and connect it to the SATA 1 port on the motherboard. There should be a SATA power connection inside the chassis that is not being used, that you can connect to the drive. Then go to system setup (F2 at boot) enable the SATA 1 controller and disable the PATA controller
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1043338

There should be two cables, a power and a data sata cable, both go behind drive. Power comes from your PWS and data goes to MB. Follow the sata connector from your HD and if you got an empty connector it should be just next to it on the MB.
thanks

There are no internal connectors for SATA devices in a Dell Dimension 2400, only IDE. If you have SATA drives that you really want to use, I suggest purchasing an external drive case/dock that converts SATA to usb 2.0. On the other hand, if you are referring to the SATA power connector from a new power supply, you don't need to connect this to anything. If I misunderstood your question, please explain it a little more to me.

Hi,
basically your system board has a PCI controller interfave and will only allow you a maximum of 100G hard drive. if you want to upgrade to SATA interface you need to purchase a SATA Adapter card that goes to one of the vacant PCI slot. this will then allow you to upgrade to 200G-300G hard drive. you also need to upgrade your power supply. SATA hard drives has different power connectors. if you are having problems finding these parts try to ask dell spare parts at 800-3573355 or 800-8228965.

hope this resolves your problem.

thanks.