HD jumper setting: What is cable select?

[TygGer]

I have always set the jumpers specifically to either master or slave on my harddrives and just ignoring the cable select option. Does anyone know what the cable select jumper setting is used for? Logically, it sounds like it would automatically detect if it is a master or slave according to how it is connected to the cable. If so, why would you use this as oppose to other settings?

 

[DurocShark]

I was under the impression that it was kinda like the way floppy drives determine which is which... A couple of wires are twisted, but I've never actually seen one!

 

[Rapidskies]

Some proprietary pc's use them, usually you can tell by looking at the IDE cable, it has some missing wires. Here is a great article on it:

Cable Select

 

[Gunbuster]

why would you use this as oppose to other settings

At the factory you throw all the drives in a pile set to cable select, then you just plug them in the machines, no messing with jumpers

AFAIK most ATA66 and beyond cables are cable select

 

[pukemon]

When you use Cable Select the cable head on the opposite end of the one that goes into the IDE connector on your motherboard or IDE controller card will always be the master, and the middle connector head is always the slave. It's supposed to simplify drive installation without have to futz with jumper settings.

 

[dkozloski]

A "cable select" cable has a small cut or hole in the cable near the center connector. With the jumpers on your drive properly set and the drives plugged into the right holes you are good to go.