The last ancient USB to PATA only adapter I once had did actually support SMART stats, but apparently the adapter’s firmware didn’t support drives over 128GB
So close, you almost had it!
Same, been thinking of just keeping an eye out at thrift stores and such for an antique USB drive enclosure.. one that isn't a Maxtor OneTouch, heh. Or maybe my idea of a janky PATA-to-SATA connected to SATA-to-USB will actually work for SMART info by some miracle.
If I had more space for storing old tech I'd maybe just adopt or buy an ancient desktop that actually has PATA ports in it. I've actually seen them come up on Craigslist, like ancient Compaq desktops from back in the day before SATA existed.