Distance problem with connectors on round IDE cables...

[KILOWATT]

Hi thanks for your time.

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that can fit my needs.
The distance problem mentioned in the subject is not related from the
motherboard connector to the slave connector, but from the slave connector
to the master connector. The standard distance between those two connectors
is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The EIDE male connectors on both
drives are vertically separated by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a
18" or 24" cable that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ? If not, does the longer cables (36" for
example) that may suit my distance needs for both drives may present
problems due to long runs? I've read somewhere in the past that 18" is the
maximum recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.


--
Alain(alias:Kilowatt)
Montréal Québec
PS: 1000 excuses for grammatical errors or
omissions, i'm a "pure" french canadian!
(If replying also by e-mail, remove
"no spam" from the adress.)

 

[Legion]

Hi thanks for your time.

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that can fit my needs.
The distance problem mentioned in the subject is not related from the
motherboard connector to the slave connector, but from the slave connector
to the master connector. The standard distance between those two connectors
is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The EIDE male connectors on both
drives are vertically separated by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a
18" or 24" cable that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ? If not, does the longer cables (36" for
example) that may suit my distance needs for both drives may present
problems due to long runs? I've read somewhere in the past that 18" is the
maximum recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.

I am using 36" round cables for 9 years with no problems (i have a tall server
case). Get 'em here:

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=317

You will find them listed under Hardware/Accessories.


Me

 

[johnS]

Hi thanks for your time.

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that can fit my needs.
The distance problem mentioned in the subject is not related from the
motherboard connector to the slave connector, but from the slave connector
to the master connector. The standard distance between those two connectors
is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The EIDE male connectors on both
drives are vertically separated by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a
18" or 24" cable that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ? If not, does the longer cables (36" for
example) that may suit my distance needs for both drives may present
problems due to long runs? I've read somewhere in the past that 18" is the
maximum recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.

Im using the longer one 36" and havent noticed any problems. I have
the same problem since I use full tower cases but I only use it for my
DVD burner and DVD rom.

Ive recently noticed the ECS boards I bought nforce3 with sempron
2800s from FRYs the IDE plugs are really low on the board weird
layout. Ive never seen this on any boards Ive had so that the IDE
ribbon cables for the DVD burner can barely reach the first drive in
the 5.25 bay. I should replace it in fact cause its stretch so tight
it actually seems impossible to do and only barely fits.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that
can fit my needs. The distance problem mentioned in the
subject is not related from the motherboard connector to
the slave connector, but from the slave connector to the
master connector. The standard distance between those
two connectors is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The
EIDE male connectors on both drives are vertically separated
by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a 18" or 24" cable
that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ? If not, does the longer
cables (36" for example) that may suit my distance needs
for both drives may present problems due to long runs? I've
read somewhere in the past that 18" is the maximum
recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.

Bonjour Alain. The distance between the 2 device
connectors on a 24" cable is 8" - just a bit too short for
your needs, as you have found. The ATA standards,
written about a decade ago, specify an 18" ribbon cable
with connectors for ATA/ATAPI devices at 12" and 18" out
from the motherboard connector. But so what? Intel doesn't
recommend overclocking its CPU chips, either, but lots of
people do it successfully. There are several solutions to
your problem, none too expensive.

1) Use a 36" cable. This would put your device connectors
12" apart. A source that I've found for a good selection
of "round" cables in that length is SVC Compucycle:
http://www.svc.com/rc36hd2.html .

2) Use a 24" cable or a 36" cable with the *middle* connector
plugged into the motherboard and the 2 outer connectors
plugged into the ATA/ATAPI devices. This can only be
done with the devices explicitly jumpered as Master and
Slave - not using Cable Select.

3) Use 2 single device cables if you have another connector
available on your motherboard. SVC also has single
device cables in 10" lengths http://www.svc.com/rc10hd1.html
and in 12" lengths http://www.svc.com/rc12hd1.html .

4) Buy a PCI controller card for $15 and add more cabling
flexibility to your system. Prices for PCI controller cards
run the gamut from $12 to $45. I've seen SIIG's ATA/133
PCI card offered several times for $39 from Dell's website.
That may be overpriced, for all I know, but it works fine
for me. Other manufacturers are HighPoint, Promise,
and SYBA.

*TimDaniels*

 

[beenthere]

Hi thanks for your time.

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that can fit my
needs.
The distance problem mentioned in the subject is not related from the
motherboard connector to the slave connector, but from the slave connector
to the master connector. The standard distance between those two
connectors
is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The EIDE male connectors on both
drives are vertically separated by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a
18" or 24" cable that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ? If not, does the longer cables (36" for
example) that may suit my distance needs for both drives may present
problems due to long runs? I've read somewhere in the past that 18" is the
maximum recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.

Hi Al. This thread is going on and on <g>.
Several times, I have carefully removed the centre connector from
the ribbon cable, and clinched it back on where I wanted it. ??.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Several times, I have carefully removed the centre connector
from the ribbon cable, and clinched it back on where I wanted
it. ??.

Did it work each time? Do you have any hints on how to
unlatch the bar which holds down the prongs that contact
the wires?

*TimDaniels*

 

[DaveW]

You CANNOT use an IDE cable longer than 24" due to the data timing errors
that would result.

 

[CBFalconer]

Hi Al. This thread is going on and on <g>.
Several times, I have carefully removed the centre connector from
the ribbon cable, and clinched it back on where I wanted it. ??.

No need to remove a connector. Just get a new one and install it
where you want it. The extra connector by itself does no harm.
Beware 80 pin cables.

--
"If you want to post a followup via groups.google.com, don't use
the broken "Reply" link at the bottom of the article. Click on
"show options" at the top of the article, then click on the
"Reply" at the bottom of the article headers." - Keith Thompson
More details at: <http://cfaj.freeshell.org/google/>
Also see <http://www.safalra.com/special/googlegroupsreply/>

 

[kony]

Did it work each time? Do you have any hints on how to
unlatch the bar which holds down the prongs that contact
the wires?

*TimDaniels*

Heat the connector with a hair-dryer or hot air gun (more
carefully with the latter as it is easy to overdo it), so it
is more flexible, less likely to crack on the side-latch.

Then take a small tool (jeweler's screwdriver or flat X-Acto
knife blade), pushing down on on the (side) center piece and
upwards. That is for the top bar, for the remaining plastic
plate directly above the wire it's much easier to gently pry
upwards. Some connectors are more brittle than others, I
have a fairly good success rate but occasionally do crack
one so I wouldn't recommend it if one only has a single
cable they *need* to use. Then again in worst case if an
emergency repair is needed to keep cable working till a
replacement is found, a drop of super-glue can keep the
connector together (might help to clamp it down while
drying).

 

[kony]

Hi thanks for your time.

I'm searching in stores and on EBay for an IDE cable that can fit my needs.
The distance problem mentioned in the subject is not related from the
motherboard connector to the slave connector, but from the slave connector
to the master connector. The standard distance between those two connectors
is just too short on 18" and 24" cables. The EIDE male connectors on both
drives are vertically separated by 9". The question is: Are you aware of a
18" or 24" cable that have a greater distance between the master/slave
connectors than the 7" and 8.5" ?

Unfortunately the typical cables jump from 24" to 36", no
inbetween sizes for most makes. Given enough searching you
might find some inbetween these two lengths but I don't
recall any round ones.

If not, does the longer cables (36" for
example) that may suit my distance needs for both drives may present
problems due to long runs? I've read somewhere in the past that 18" is the
maximum recommended. Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes it is possible the 36" cable may present problems,
particularly at ATA133 speeds. Tim and I were arguing about
it in another thread and while we won't ever come to an
argreement, the fact is that lowering the ATA rate can help
if/when you have a problem. Seems some people just like to
argue but the fact is, it can be a problem and the lowering
of the ATA rate can be a solution. That's not meant to
discourage you from using the cable, only a possible remedy
if the length is problematic.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Some connectors are more brittle than others, I
have a fairly good success rate but occasionally do crack
one so I wouldn't recommend it if one only has a single
cable they *need* to use.

Too bad that it's not reliable.

*TimDaniels*

 

[KILOWATT]

Great thread! Thanks for all the replies. I'm planning to try a 36" cable,
but with some apprehension. I've tried a few years ago a flat cable of the
same lenght as a replacement on a friend's computer. The BIOS didn't even
detected the hdd 'till i've installed a shorter one! I'm interested on the
idea of adding a connector to the desired spot on the cable, but two
questions arose: 1- Is this can only be done on flat cables? 2- Is that can
be done on 80 conductors cables? TIA for your time.

--
Alain(alias:Kilowatt)
Montréal Québec
PS: 1000 excuses for grammatical errors or
omissions, i'm a "pure" french canadian!
(If replying also by e-mail, remove
"no spam" from the adress.)

 

[johnS]

Great thread! Thanks for all the replies. I'm planning to try a 36" cable,
but with some apprehension. I've tried a few years ago a flat cable of the
same lenght as a replacement on a friend's computer. The BIOS didn't even
detected the hdd 'till i've installed a shorter one! I'm interested on the
idea of adding a connector to the desired spot on the cable, but two
questions arose: 1- Is this can only be done on flat cables? 2- Is that can
be done on 80 conductors cables? TIA for your time.

Heres an article others have posted that sticks to the 18" or shorter
recommendation
http://www.dansdata.com/rcables.htm

However some others have cited this one where it seems to say
lengthening the max up to 27" is ok
http://www.t13.org/technical/e00151r0.pdf

Not sure if 36" is OK for CD burners/DVD burners thats what I was
using it for but I definitely wouldnt use it for a harddisk.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Heres an article others have posted that sticks to the 18" or shorter
recommendation
http://www.dansdata.com/rcables.htm

Too bad there's no experimental data provided.

However some others have cited this one where it seems to say
lengthening the max up to 27" is ok
http://www.t13.org/technical/e00151r0.pdf

It's neat that there's experimental data provided.

Not sure if 36" is OK for CD burners/DVD burners thats what
I was using it for but I definitely wouldnt use it for a harddisk.

But it's cheap enough to give it a try.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I'm planning to try a 36" cable,

Try a 24" cable as well since they're cheap. There's
a good chance that a 24" cable will have the right segment
lengths if you put the controller at the middle connector
and the 2 devices at the end connectors. As far as
connectivity is concerned, that arrangement is the same
as putting the 2 devices on the middle and end connectors,
and you'll have less cable to stuff into the case.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Eh, bra! Da rain stop yeht? What potta da state
you steh?

*TimDaniels*

 

[johnS]

Eh, bra! Da rain stop yeht? What potta da state
you steh?

*TimDaniels*

Honolulu , 3 blocks from the beach near Ala Moana. It was sooooo
rainy the last couple months that it flooded twice in Honolulu near
the beach which is rare I think. Usually when it rains it clears up a
few hours later . This time there was thunder and lightening and
something backed up and there was 1 foot of water in various parking
lots and some streets. It was wild. They cleaned it up fast though.

The sun has come back though so it seems normal again though slightly
cooler than usual. Its been going on so long I noticed the papers
started voicing concern it might affect tourism.

Do you live in Hawaii? I used to live in LA and frankly I thought it
wasnt that great there. When I was growing up there I thought it was
the greatest place but before I left I really didnt like it. I dont
think it was ever that great now that I think about it.

 

[johnS]

It's neat that there's experimental data provided.




But it's cheap enough to give it a try.

*TimDaniels*

You know I havent really had any catastrophic problems with the 36" or
24" that I, aware of . I mean the really obvious stuff. I keep
reading these websites and they act like your HD will become
completely corrupted if you use anything longer than 18". I havent
had anything like that happen or my system not recognizing drives or
my HDs slowing down a lot - so far. However everyone keeps saying
something horrible will happen if you go longer than 24 and some even
18 so Id rather stick to 18-24 for my HDs.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I keep reading these websites and they act like your HD
will become completely corrupted if you use anything
longer than 18". I havent had anything like that happen
or my system not recognizing drives or my HDs slowing
down a lot - so far. However everyone keeps saying
something horrible will happen if you go longer than 24
and some even 18 so Id rather stick to 18-24 for my HDs.

Analyze sometime who that "everyone" is and you'll
be amused to see that it's just one corny toad! <LOL>
As for my personal use, I use everything between
10" single device round cables and 24" dual device
round cables for ATA/133 hard drives with no problems.
I've never used 36" cables because I haven't found the
need for the extra length, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't
try them.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Honolulu , 3 blocks from the beach near Ala Moana.

Ahhh.... Good scenery at the Kewalo end of
the beach Spoke with 2 women sunning
there topless, once.

But sell your condo and move to Makiki or Manoa.
Global warming will have Ala Moana under water
in one or two hundred years.

Do you live in Hawaii? I used to live in LA...

We've traded places - I live in L.A.
The traffic here is pretty bad.
And... it's been raining here, too!

*TimDaniels*