HD cable manufacturers are idiots [cable manufacturers] [pinhole]
Q: So I bought an 80 wire cable HD only to find that small pinhole blocked! @ # $
Are these people idiots these cables? I mean, if the HD cable is plugged in the wrong way you just plug into the other side, you have to do it idiot-proof cables. Now, what if a mobo has all the pins on the socket you how to plug this thing? Ya I looked at my drill, but ill just return the cable.
Re:<< Any controller or drive that has a pin in that position is not being built to current standards. You can safely cut out that pin as it should never be connected to any signal. Of course the block can be defeated in many ways: drill, pull tiny plastic plug out (if it is a plug), heat heavy paper clip with butane lighter and push thru, etc.
. BTW, all 80-wire cables are supposed to be built as Cable Select, so correct orientation is more critical. (CS is ignored if you jumper your drives to Master/Slave.)
.bh. >>
I 2nd this motion (what is it with people taking the words out of my mouth right before I say…err…type them).
Re:Any controller or drive that has a pin in that position is not being built to current standards. You can safely cut out that pin as it should never be connected to any signal. Of course the block can be defeated in many ways: drill, pull tiny plastic plug out (if it is a plug), heat heavy paper clip with butane lighter and push thru, etc.
. BTW, all 80-wire cables are supposed to be built as Cable Select, so correct orientation is more critical. (CS is ignored if you jumper your drives to Master/Slave.)
.bh.
Re:<< Besides all that. The plug is not solid. It is a little piece of plastic poked in the hole. Just take a sewing needle and dig it out. >>
Some are made with plugs, while others are molded solid. If you have one with a plug, you're lucky! 
Cheers!
Re:Besides all that. The plug is not solid. It is a little piece of plastic poked in the hole. Just take a sewing needle and dig it out.
Re:According to maxtor i have to use an 80 wire cable with this 20gig drive, or it wont work properly(thats what they said, i swear
). Anyway im using a normal cable and its working fine.Re:JUST GO OUT AND GET ANOTHER ATA33 CABLE. Problem solved.
Re:<< Uhh, don't be calling them morons because you don't know what you're talking about, pal.
This is to differentiate the ATA-66 and ATA-100 cables from regular ATA-33 cables. It is not meant to protect you from plugging you in the wrong way – it is to protect you from plugging this cable into an older HD or older controller. >>
This is untrue as well. I've had plenty of standard 40 pin, 40 wire cables with blocked holes.
<< Sharkeeper, you're trying to solve a problem that does not exist. >>
If the hole is blocked, it is impossible to plug it in to a controller that has the pin in that position.
Cheers!
Re:guy, I successfully used an ATA-66 cable on an ATA-33 HD+Controller, and it worked fine. I'm just saying that that's the purpose of that blocked pin..
Re:<< Sharkeeper, you're trying to solve a problem that does not exist. >>
Ditto
But you seem to imply that plugging an 80 wire cable in to a old (say ata 33) hard drive on an ata 33 controller would somehow cause damage?
Re:Sharkeeper, you're trying to solve a problem that does not exist.
Re:The best way to remedy this is heat up a safety pin on your stove or with a torch until the point is glowing red. Use this to melt through the plastic where it is filled in. The pin only needs to be pushed in about 7mm. After the plastic cools down, the excess ring of plastic that has formed around the hole can be easily removed with a razor blade.
Cheers!
Re:Uhh, don't be calling them morons because you don't know what you're talking about, pal.
This is to differentiate the ATA-66 and ATA-100 cables from regular ATA-33 cables. It is not meant to protect you from plugging you in the wrong way – it is to protect you from plugging this cable into an older HD or older controller.
Before you call someone else a moron, take a look at the cable and notice that one wire is also punched out a few inches from one of the connectors.
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Tags: cable manufacturers, pinhole