Floppy Drive Cable Orientation...

[KnowsNothing]

OK, so I'm building my new computer, and I'm running into trouble on a very simple component--the floppy drive.

It has a cable with a red stripe on one end, but I can't figure out which way it goes. I remember someone told me that the rule of thumb for IDE devices is to have the red stripe facing out of the case (away from the motherboard). Is this true?

I know that the more accurate rule of thumb is to have the red stripe go into the pin 1 connector, but I can't tell where the pin 1 connector is.

Also, right now I have it arranged so I think there is a little notch that fits the cable notch. However if I flip it the other way around it fits in nicely too.

Anyone have some good advice? I don't want to mess this up cause I blew my mom's floppy drive a couple years ago doing the same thing. I guess I should have paid more attention when I was taking the thing apart.

 

[PepperBreath]

The red stripe should be in the direction of the power connecter. If the power connects to the left side of the drive, the red strip should be the end of the cable closest to where the power connector goes.

And it shouldn't harm the drive if you connect it wrong. I've done that by accident, building a PC in a hurry, and it didn't harm it.

 

[VBboy]

In short, the red stripe marks the pin 1. So does the little triangle mark on the actual connector.

** Additional info: there is a limited number of permutations representing the ways to connect the floppy cable. Eventually, you will find the right one (usually, the second or the third attempts 🙂)

 

[Pilsnerpete]

fyi: if the LED stays on, the cable's bassackwards. 🙂