Stupid IDE ribbon question

[F1]

I can use an IDE ribbon from my old P3 and put it in a new P4 system without any compatibility or performance problems? There still basically the same old IDE ribbon aren't they?

thanks.

 

[corkyg]

Yes and no. There are two types basically - 40 wire and 80 wire. The connectors are the same. To benefit from ATA 66/100+ you need to use the 80-wire ribbons. They are easy to tell. They have colored connectors - blue, black and gray and can be used for Cable Select. The standard 40 wire cable has to be modified to use CS. If you have 40 wire cables, then you will be held to ATA 33 - but they will work.

I had both types on my old P3 system.

 

[woodie1]

Newer IDE cables have 80 wires. Yours probably has 40 wires. You will be okay to use for a CD-ROM or CDRW but data access with a hard drive will slow.

 

[tdowning]

compare the hdd cable to your floppy ribbon cable. If the wires seem to be the same size, ditch the old IDE cable. if the wires are way smaller, it will be fine. most of the Compaq PIII's I've worked on had two 80 wire cables, and PII's and older Celerons had one of each

 

[Cerb]

Not all ATA66/100/133 cables have the blue ends, nor a gray connector. However, when doing that floppy comparison, if the IDE cable is as flimsy as the floppy, it's likely a 40-wire. If it is significantly tougher, 80.

 

[F1]

thanks guys

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: Cerb
Not all ATA66/100/133 cables have the blue ends, nor a gray connector. However, when doing that floppy comparison, if the IDE cable is as flimsy as the floppy, it's likely a 40-wire. If it is significantly tougher, 80.

I don't think your 'flimsy' test will work. Floppy cables and older ATA33 cables use heavier wire then new ATA66/100/133 cables, but the newer cables have more strands. Therefore their 'flimsiness' or 'thoughness' is likely the same. Then consider how cables get worn in and less stiff over time ..... it just doesn't make a acurate identification technique (sry).

Thorin

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: thorin

Originally posted by: Cerb
Not all ATA66/100/133 cables have the blue ends, nor a gray connector. However, when doing that floppy comparison, if the IDE cable is as flimsy as the floppy, it's likely a 40-wire. If it is significantly tougher, 80.

I don't think your 'flimsy' test will work. Floppy cables and older ATA33 cables use heavier wire then new ATA66/100/133 cables, but the newer cables have more strands. Therefore their 'flimsiness' or 'thoughness' is likely the same. Then consider how cables get worn in and less stiff over time ..... it just doesn't make a acurate identification technique (sry).

Thorin

Worked for me (and that's one of the things programs like Sandra are good for 🙂), but neither of us have had every cable in the world. I specifically mentioned it because I have put together machines with black 80-conductor cables (Foxconn). 80GB Caviars were right up to Sandra's peak scores...though I'll never get that case again (Evercase E4252's are only $15 more and unbelievably better).

 

[woodie1]

If you lay the two cables side by side there is no way you will miss the one with 80 conductors.