40 or 80 pin IDE cables for 52x CD-RW?

[redivider]

Is there any reason to use one or the other for this type of drive? (LiteOn 52x CD-RW)

I originally had a rolled 80 pin cable on there and had tons of problems installing windows. I was getting all kinds of random errors that Setup could not copy files from the CD. So the only other cable I had was an older 40 pin flat cable, so I used that and had no problems at all. Since then I found some nicer 80 pin rolled cables that are more flexible and stuff (I think the original problem was that the other rolled cable was so stiff and I had to bend it all these wierd angles to fit in the case).. and I was just wondering if it makes sense to use the 80 pin cable or would it not really make a difference?

 

[fredtam]

The 80-conductor cable reduces crosstalk and improves signal integrity by providing 40 additional ground lines between the 40-pin IDE signal and ground lines So yes.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: fredtam
The 80-conductor cable reduces crosstalk and improves signal integrity by providing 40 additional ground lines between the 40-pin IDE signal and ground lines So yes.

However optical drives only run at ATA33 so either cable type would do.

 

[EeyoreX]

The problem with your original cable was not likely caused by bending it. I fold my ribbon cables up like origami and they are fine. The problem was more than likely just a bad cable. To answer your question, if you aren't experiencing any trouble, there really is no need to replace the cable. I solved the "choice" problem by throwing out any 40 wire cables I had and only keep 80 ware. Makes choosing easy for me 😉

\Dan

 

[drag]

When running 40 pin wires your computer can detect that and will automaticly set the DMA access down to ATA33 or just turns it off completely. This will make it work, but it will severly limit the speed of your IDE device.

The rolled 80 pin wires probably just sucked. The extra 40 wires in a 80pin cable are grounded and do not carry any signal. They provide a way to seperate the wires carrying the data to reduce crosstalk. In a rounded cable were everything is smooshed together you have a bunch of active wires against each other, therebye increasing the likely hood of a timing/signal issues. That's probably what caused all those errors.

Use a 80pin cable if you have one. They are just better. Keep it flat, also if you have a harddrive on the same cable, make that the master. 😉