ribbon cable to short

[speeduke]

I need to install a new Yamaha cd-rw in my Dell Dimension xps.

The problem is with the cables.

The system currently has a controller card with a ribbon cable to the hard drive (mounted vertically at PC front/bottom) PROBLEM -- The second connector on that cable will not reach the drive bay where the CR-RW must be installed.

The system also has a CD drive and tape backup connected via ribbon cable to a secondary ide connector on the mother board so there are no connectors available there.

The mother board also has a primary ide connector (not used).

The available power cable will also not reach the bay for the CR-RW, but I think I can get an extension for it.

 

[edfair]

You may have to build your own cables. Or move the hard drive closer to your R/W.
The primary IDE has probably been disabled to allow an expansion card primary IDE.
You could build an extension IDE cable , IDH40 on one end (header--with pins) and 40 pin socket on the other end.
You want to keep the length from board to last device under 24" but a max of 18 would be best.

Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[tomw]

Just my 2 cents worth...but you may find a longer IDE cable at a local store (C/USA has them here) or dealer.

Also, some CD/R's can be quirky if set as master on a device chain. Best to keep it set as a slave, and find a way to extend or replace that cable your hard drive is on.



Tom Whitehead
twhitehead@commeq.com