How do I install a newer hard drive to an older computer?

Sorry it's been a while. It's been busy here and finally had time to sit down and try to install the hard drive into the other computer. The old hard drive was in a casing that snapped into the tower unit sideways. With the adapter in that casing doesn't fit all the way. So in order to use it I'd have to loosely set it on the bottom of the tower unit and be very careful about when I move the unit. Not sure what else I'd do to protect it or get it safely attached to the computer.

The other problem I have is not sure I have it set up right. I've taken pictures and maybe someone can tell me if it's hooked up right. I had to use the SATA wire from the old computer and use it with the computer I'm trying to get the hard drive to install into.

PHoto 1: How it's hooked up

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps47cbdff9.jpg

The grey IDE cable is from the DVD drive on the computer and goes into the IDE slot.

The red cable with the black is the SATA hard drive. The white connector with the colored cables was the adaptor that came with it and it hooked from the P5 connector onto the adapter. There were no settings on the SATA drive for master/slave etc. So that was not set.

Here is where it would lay on the bottom of the computer tower:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...psd65cee54.jpg

It would lay flat but not be attached in any way. This may sound bad but could I put packing tape over it to secure it to the bottom of the tower unit??

Here's the new hard drive with the info on the front:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7c015e45.jpg

Also it says to hook up the hard drive light connector. But can't find that on the computer as it's hooked into the front and can't get it off. Not sure if that adapter is for that?

I know so many questions.


Thanks!
Mel

Well in the back there were two bays that I must have removed and are open inside the tower unit. So it has openings where plenty of air can get in.

If I find an IDE/USP 2.0 3.5 enclosure will transfering data be slow or will it be just as fast as using it hooked up to a computer?

What about a hard drive dock? Are those good too?

Just thinking of my options. Thanks!

Mel