RE: Seeking longer IDE cable

["Paul Gordon" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Couldn't you just turn it round & use it "back to front"
- then there would be a shorter distance between the mobo & the first
device connector, and a longer distance between the first & second
device conectors. - This might result in the connector plugs being upside
down though, which you may be able to work around by twisting the cable
through 180 degrees, - or possibly even by fitting the HDD upside down
too... Alternatively, I'm 99% sure I have in the past come across short IDE
extension cables (about 8cm long) specifically for this purpose.

IDE cables are deliberately short, as the spec limits the length to (IIRC)
18 inches... - because the data transmission is parallel, timing issues
become a problem at longer lengths. I'm not sure if the evolution of the
various PATA standards over the years changed the cable length limit or
not... - later specs operated at faster & faster data rates, so I'd
imagine the tolerances got even tighter, although I guess there may have
been better signalling techniques & error correction?... - Long &
short of it is if you do the 2 IDE cables back-to-back workaround
mentioned, you might very well find your data transfers become
unreliable...

Only way to find that out is to suck it & see I guess....

Paul G.


________________________________

From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx on behalf of noughtomate
Sent: Tue 30/09/2008 11:12
To: UKHA Group
Subject: [ukha_d] Seeking longer IDE cable



Hi,

I'm currently setting up my mini-ITX motherboard in a new chassis and
am struggling with the length of the IDE cables.

I plan to use the following devices, ideally in this priority :
- Primary Master : IDE drive
- Secondary Master : CF adapter
- Secondary Slave : DVD Drive

Where I'm struggling is the distance between each of these devices in
my chassis and being able to physically connect them.

Although I've tried different variations of IDE cables, they all seem
to have the same fixed distance between the Master and the Slave
device. I've purchased 45 cm and 70cm cables and all of the end
lengths between the master and slave seem to consistently be the same.

Does anyone know of a supplier that sells extension cables or IDE
cables with longer lengths between the Master and Slave ?

I just find it bizarre they're all the same towards the end. Is this
something to do with IDE standards ?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thanks




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