help! laptop hard drive problem

[rodney]

this is probably a very simple issue, but i just want to make sure i do this right...

my laptop hard drive died suddenly so i removed it and found that it is a Fujitsu MHS2040AT, which i understand is an ATA or IDE type hard drive. I'm looking to replace it, but can I use a 2.5" SATA drive in its place, or would it be incompatible? the laptop is an older HP Pavilion ze5400 series.

also, as far as external USB enclosures go, will an IDE enclosure also be able to accept an SATA drive?

Any help is much appreciated!

[Gee]

They are completely different interfaces. It would be like trying to plug a square peg into a round hole.

[rodney]

alright, thanks.

i guess i'll have to stick w/ IDE for now then...