40-pin ATA socket and old motherboard: problem

[Rui Maciel]

I've just purchased an old hardware bundle (CPU, motherboard, RAM) and when
I got to build a system from it, I've noticed that the motherboard's ATA
sockets had 40 connectors instead of 39. That is a problem, as the only ATA
cables I have are those 39-connector cables which have one blocked pin
entry.

So what's so special about those 40-connector cables? Are they ATA at all?
Are they compatible with the 39-connector ones? Can they be made to work
with regular ATA HDs?


Thanks in advance
Rui Maciel

 

[Ken]

I've just purchased an old hardware bundle (CPU, motherboard, RAM) and when
I got to build a system from it, I've noticed that the motherboard's ATA
sockets had 40 connectors instead of 39. That is a problem, as the only ATA
cables I have are those 39-connector cables which have one blocked pin
entry.

I assume you mean pins rather than connectors and are referring to the
IDE connector??? If you are, the missing pin on your cable was designed
to be an orientation aid that prevented plugging in the cable in the
reverse direction. You can drill a hole into the cable to accommodate
the extra pin on the connector, or remove the pin on the MB. Be VERY
careful that you remove the CORRECT pin if you take the second choice as
you may mess up the port by removing the wrong pin.

 

[kony]

I assume you mean pins rather than connectors and are referring to the
IDE connector??? If you are, the missing pin on your cable was designed
to be an orientation aid that prevented plugging in the cable in the
reverse direction. You can drill a hole into the cable to accommodate
the extra pin on the connector, or remove the pin on the MB. Be VERY
careful that you remove the CORRECT pin if you take the second choice as
you may mess up the port by removing the wrong pin.

Since I have PCB fabrication tools including associated
sizes of drill bits, _I_ would probably drill a hole in the
cable connector, but most people do not have a small enough
drill bit to do this as the standard packs of bits or even
individual bits sold at "most" hardware stores do not go any
smaller than 1/16" which is a bit too big, probably damaging
unless one were very careful and used a drill press.

It would probably be easiest to just heat up a large needle
over a flame and melt in the hole, then if there is any
plastic mounded up above the plane of the connector face
afterwards, trim that off with a razor blade or knife.

 

[meow2222]

Since I have PCB fabrication tools including associated
sizes of drill bits, _I_ would probably drill a hole in the
cable connector, but most people do not have a small enough
drill bit to do this as the standard packs of bits or even
individual bits sold at "most" hardware stores do not go any
smaller than 1/16" which is a bit too big, probably damaging
unless one were very careful and used a drill press.

It would probably be easiest to just heat up a large needle
over a flame and melt in the hole, then if there is any
plastic mounded up above the plane of the connector face
afterwards, trim that off with a razor blade or knife.

Snip the extra pin off the mobo, then you've got a proper oriented
connector. Just be sure to cut the right one!


NT

 

[Strobe]

Since I have PCB fabrication tools including associated
sizes of drill bits, _I_ would probably drill a hole in the
cable connector, but most people do not have a small enough
drill bit to do this as the standard packs of bits or even
individual bits sold at "most" hardware stores do not go any
smaller than 1/16" which is a bit too big, probably damaging
unless one were very careful and used a drill press.

It would probably be easiest to just heat up a large needle
over a flame and melt in the hole, then if there is any
plastic mounded up above the plane of the connector face
afterwards, trim that off with a razor blade or knife.

Sound advice - but when I had the same problem, I found that
the "missing" hole was actually a neatly plugged hole.
Makes sense, it's costly to make a different molding die
for each variant of that connector.

A strong sharp needle let me easily remove the plug - and, of course,
working on the cable end is a lot safer than trying to modify the Mobo pins!

 

[meow2222]

Sound advice - but when I had the same problem, I found that
the "missing" hole was actually a neatly plugged hole.
Makes sense, it's costly to make a different molding die
for each variant of that connector.

A strong sharp needle let me easily remove the plug - and, of course,
working on the cable end is a lot safer than trying to modify the Mobo pins!

use flush cutting cutters, or if you dont have those, hold the
cutters
1mm+ above the mobo. Squeeze gently and steadily, avoid shock.


NT

 

[Rui Maciel]

use flush cutting cutters, or if you dont have those, hold the
cutters
1mm+ above the mobo. Squeeze gently and steadily, avoid shock.

Knowing that the exact same thing can be easily accomplished by simply
melting a hole in a redundant piece of plastic that costs less than 0.50€
in any hardware store, why exactly is cutting something in a motherboard
even considered? It doesn't make any sense.

If I screw up the hole then I simply need to pick my loose change and buy a
new one. If I screw up the motherboard... Then what?

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. As soon as I get to try out the
motherboard I'll reply to this thread.

Kudos everyone!
Rui Maciel

 

[kony]

Knowing that the exact same thing can be easily accomplished by simply
melting a hole in a redundant piece of plastic that costs less than 0.50€
in any hardware store, why exactly is cutting something in a motherboard
even considered? It doesn't make any sense.

If I screw up the hole then I simply need to pick my loose change and buy a
new one. If I screw up the motherboard... Then what?

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. As soon as I get to try out the
motherboard I'll reply to this thread.

Kudos everyone!
Rui Maciel

It would be an unusual pair of flush cutters that can get
into the space between motherboard ATA connector pins, but
the point of removing the pin instead of modifying the cable
would be that the motherboard is then *universal* in that it
can use any cable from then on, and is keyed to prevent
accidentally plugging in the typical keyed cable the wrong
way around.

Modifying the cable certainly has less risk, though even a
cruder method of removing the motherboard pin is possible,
just take needle nose pliers and bend it back and forth at
the base so it breaks off there instead of higher up, or of
course gripping it with the pliers and pulling out while
heated with a soldering iron on the back. Main thing is
being sure the right pin is removed if going this route
instead of modifying the cable. I would probably modify the
cable merely because it's easier and safer to do since
peering into a dark case with a flashlight and counting pin
positions is not fun to me, while playing with fire or a
drill press, is.

 

[Strobe]

use flush cutting cutters, or if you dont have those, hold the
cutters
1mm+ above the mobo. Squeeze gently and steadily, avoid shock.

That'd work - but only if the MoBo connector is that rare kind
that is not surounded by a plastic shell.

 

[meow2222]

easier, simpler, safer, and avoids agro with plugging in later +
attendant risk to hdds, mobo & data.

If youre unable to cut the right pin then yes, you could have
problems whatever you do.

It would be an unusual pair of flush cutters that can get
into the space between motherboard ATA connector pins, but

standard minimum cost electronic hobbeast pointy pcb flush
cutters, the type stamped from sheet, not the heavier cast type.

the point of removing the pin instead of modifying the cable
would be that the motherboard is then *universal* in that it
can use any cable from then on, and is keyed to prevent
accidentally plugging in the typical keyed cable the wrong
way around.

Modifying the cable certainly has less risk,

Does it though? I'd rather have a setup that was safe to use than
one where every time I plugged or unplugged I risked kiling stuff.
Rather take a risk once than a handful of times. But then if the OP
never upgrades or replaces a hdd etc, maybe not.

though even a
cruder method of removing the motherboard pin is possible,
just take needle nose pliers and bend it back and forth at
the base so it breaks off there instead of higher up, or of

I really would not do that, its a recipe for broken copper tracks.
Probably wont matter, but if the mobo uses the pin as a through
connection then bye bye mobo.

course gripping it with the pliers and pulling out while
heated with a soldering iron on the back. Main thing is
being sure the right pin is removed if going this route
instead of modifying the cable. I would probably modify the
cable merely because it's easier and safer to do since
peering into a dark case with a flashlight and counting pin
positions is not fun to me, while playing with fire or a
drill press, is.

yeah... depends if its in or out of case and what visibility and
access is like. Anyway either option will work.


Strobe:

That'd work - but only if the MoBo connector is that rare kind
that is not surounded by a plastic shell.

Only takes a few secs to snap a lump out of the side, if theres
sufficient access. If there isnt, then I'd vote cable mod too.


NT