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Does the length of the ATA cable for ATA100/133 matters?

B

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Hello everyone,
I read somewhere that with the pATA cables, you want to limit the maximum length to 18". However, I need an extra inch on it. But only 24" cables are available. I guess my SX1000II case is too tall and I just need the extra length to connect my 5.25 drive bays. For hard drives, will the 24" effects the performance? How about the CD drives?
I am worry about data integrity.
Thanks for any explanation. A link would be great.
 
Yes, the signal can degrade and cause data corruption. People have resolved VERY strange problems with their computers by merely changing to shorter\higher quality cables.
 
Potentially, yes. Is it certain that longer cables will cause problems? No. Many many people use the longer cables without incident. There are also others who use the longer cables and experience problems, like data corruption. The bottom line, IMO, is to try and stay at or below the 18" spec. However, that isn't always possible (large cases, etc) so simply make sure you get a higher quality cable. Don't get ElCheapo brand cables, and more likely than not you should be fine, though there is no assurances either way.

\Dan
 
I've never heard of this, and it makes me think it could be some of my weird unexplained IDE problems

what are good brands of cables to try, and what to avoid?
 
Ideally, the transfer of data along the cable would be instantaneous, and cable length would not be an issue.

But realistically, shorter cables are usually better. I know with electrical wiring they have lower resistance, and I'd assume something similar for other cables.
 
This is a rather stupid suggestion, but have you tried switching your master/slave to perhaps shorten the cable length needed? Or switched the cable in question to the other IDE slot?
 
Originally posted by: lordtyranus2
This is a rather stupid suggestion, but have you tried switching your master/slave to perhaps shorten the cable length needed? Or switched the cable in question to the other IDE slot?
Click to expand...


I got two HDs and one DVDrom and one CDRW drive. The problem is the slave device is not reaching b/c of the tall case and the IS7 location of the IDE ports. My old MB fits fine.

What is considered good quality cables? I see like braided round cables from SVC, they run like $3.49 each. Are those good cables?

 
Considering when most people *think* they are having problems related to a longer cable, they replace it thus fixing the problem...

How do we know if that was related to length or just a bad cable? I have had bad cables before.. I currently am using a couple 18inchers and a 24inch without issue...

I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Get Shielded cables if you are going to go 24"+ since they will block lots of noise. I paid a few extra bucks for my shielded Antec cables and im happy since i haven had any problems burning or reading CD's.
 
I invested 5 dollars in coolermaster cables. Mostly because regular long ones kill the air flow in my case. For them being long.... I think it would be more of a defective IDE cable if it couldn't pass the same data on a shorter cable then it would on a longer one.

Ive seen no problems at all with my mistakenly ordered, extra long, rounded IDE cables.
 
I need 2 single devices and two double devices, so it would set me back about $30 shipped. Hmm, I have to think about it.
 
Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
move the optical drives?
Click to expand...

If I could I would already. Please let me describe my system then this question should not come up again.

I got two WD 200GB drives in the 3.5 bays. No these are not from the Dell's deal. 🙂
I have 4 5.25 bays, the top one cannot be reach at all by a 18" cable b/c of the IDE port location on the IS7, I have tried the controller and it would not either.
I have the two CD drives on bay 1 and 2. The 3rd bay I got a removable rack and it is hooking on to the master end of the cable. If only the slave end is 1 inch longer. The distance b/w the slave and master is more than enough. It's the distance b/w the IDE MB port and slave that is not long enough. Since my 120GB on the rack is running out of room, I wanted to get a second drive in the 4th bay but I think I might not do that. I have a 200GB from Dell's deal coming and I might just move the data to that one and forget about the extra costs and headaches to figure out things.


 
Originally posted by: Bad_Dude
I need 2 single devices and two double devices, so it would set me back about $30 shipped. Hmm, I have to think about it.
Click to expand...

$30? 4 of these (there were no single device 36" cables that I saw there on first glance) is $13.40, so maybe $20 shipped?
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: Bad_Dude
I need 2 single devices and two double devices, so it would set me back about $30 shipped. Hmm, I have to think about it.
Click to expand...

$30? 4 of these (there were no single device 36" cables that I saw there on first glance) is $13.40, so maybe $20 shipped?
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff.
 
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