One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after installing a new DVD±RW drive today. I then remembered I had a problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a Y-connector between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.

Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very unsafe using these connectors. They seem prone to not make good contacts, even when brand new.

John Eckart wrote:

> One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after installing a new DVD±RW drive today. I then remembered I had a problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a Y-connector between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.
>
> Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very unsafe using these connectors. They seem prone to not make good contacts, even when brand new.

Coincidentally, I noted my problems with one in this very forum only
about an hour ago.

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John Eckart <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:hnphb.3976$(E-Mail Removed)...

> One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several
> hours after installing a new DVD±RW drive today.
> I then remembered I had a problem with a
> molex connector about six months ago,

Fine.

> so I put a Y-connector between the molex

In line with the bad pair now ? Thats not a good idea.

> and the drive and now everything's fine.

> Anyone else have problems with these?

The metal tunnel the pin goes into can open up over time.

> I feel very unsafe using these connectors.

While they can be a problem, there isnt
any point in getting all neurotic about it.

> They seem prone to not make good
> contacts, even when brand new.

Thats just plain wrong on the brand new.

CJT <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> John Eckart wrote:

>> One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after
>> installing a new DVD±RW drive today. I then remembered I had a
>> problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a
>> Y-connector between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.

>> Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very
>> unsafe using these connectors. They seem prone
>> to not make good contacts, even when brand new.

> Coincidentally, I noted my problems with one
> in this very forum only about an hour ago.

Its actually the Molex****er virus, but if I told you that I'd have to kill you.

Previously John Eckart <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after installing a new DVD?RW drive today. I then remembered I had a problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a Y-connector between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.

> Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very unsafe
> using these connectors. They seem prone to not make good
> contacts, even when brand new.

When IBM selected these connectors they selected "cheap" instead
of "good". Saves maybe 50 cent per connector ans causes the
problems you describe. Although this type of problem is rare.
Same problem with the more "modern" ATX Mainboard connectors.
Good high-power, connectors exist. I was tempted more than
once to replace them all. But since the connectors on
mainboard, HDD, CDROM,... would be hard to replace and
void the warranty, I did not.

Usually the PSU side of the connector has gotten to "loose".
You can tighten it manually, if you are careful.
When the connectors are o.k. from the mechanical side, they
give good electrical contact.

Arno
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In article <hnphb.3976$(E-Mail Removed)>, John
Eckart <(E-Mail Removed)> writes

[Molex connectors]

>They seem prone to not make good contacts, even when brand new.

You do need to push them home quite firmly. I think some people simply
don't insert them fully for fear of forcing them and causing damage.

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Previously Mike Tomlinson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> In article <hnphb.3976$(E-Mail Removed)>, John
> Eckart <(E-Mail Removed)> writes

> [Molex connectors]

>>They seem prone to not make good contacts, even when brand new.

> You do need to push them home quite firmly. I think some people simply
> don't insert them fully for fear of forcing them and causing damage.

True. But cable-to-cable connections have a tendency to not go in cleanly.
In that case don't push! Remove and try again. If you push in this
case, you can push some of the metal conectors right out of
the plastic casing. This can be repaired, but only by the
mechanically adepty. (Requires a needle to bend out the "hooks"
and reinsertion od the metal connector.)

No such risk with cable-to-HDD/CDROM connections, at least
I never had problems woth that.

Arno
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On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 03:06:53 GMT, "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after installing a new DVD±RW drive today. I
>then remembered I had a problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a Y-connector
>between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.
>
>Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very unsafe using these connectors. They seem prone to
>not make good contacts, even when brand new.

I take it you are talking about the power connector on the drive.
I have a 60 gig drive that has the same problem.


-Barry
========
Web page: http://members.optusnet.com.au/~barry.og
Atheist, radio scanner, LIPD information.
Voicemail/fax number +14136227640

One thing you can do if you suspect "looseness" with the power
connector is to take a mating pin contact
(http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncomme...s=503;524;744;)
and plug it into each socket contact in the connector. If it's too
loose, use an extractor
(http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncomme...&search=131879)
to remove the contact from the housing and slightly reduce its
diameter with pliers.

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 03:06:53 GMT, "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>One of my HDDs in my RAID array failed several hours after installing a new DVD±RW drive today. I then remembered I had a problem with a molex connector about six months ago, so I put a Y-connector between the molex and the drive and now everything's fine.
>
>Anyone else have problems with these? I feel very unsafe using these connectors. They seem prone to not make good contacts, even when brand new.