30cm round ide cable - 2 connector

[risk_reversal]

Does anyone know a U.K based supplier that sells this item please.

Can't seem to locate one at all.

Failing that, any reason why a 3 connector cable cannot be cut short ie remove the extra length.

Many thanks

Cheers

[saphalline]

Ooh... round IDE cables faded away when SATA 300 was announced for new-at-the-time chipsets. Don't know if you'll find a reliable online vendor for them on your side of the pond.

However, do you have any brick-and-mortar computer shops in your area? You can probably still find round IDE cables at physical stores, even if not exactly what you want.

[risk_reversal]

brick-and-mortar computer shops
Not many of those around where I live, only a pc world and I am sure they will not have it.

I suppose I can always buy it from a U.S based online vendor who ship to the U.K.

Good Luck

[rond36]

any reason why a 3 connector cable cannot be cut short ie remove the extra length.

The reason why a 3 connector IDE cable can not be cut is the master device must be connected to the black connector on the end of the cable (the one you want to cut off) and the slave device must be connected to the grey connector in the middle of the cable. If you do not have a master device connected you can not connect a slave device. If you cut the master connector off you can trash the whole cable because it will be useless.

[jlreich]

Actually I was working on a system a couple days ago that had the only drive connected to the middle connector without problems. These particular machines are all this way. It showed up in BIOS as master. Didn't pay any attention to how it was jumpered though I am sure it was set as master.

Also I have seen many OEM machines with a single connector IDE cable. In fact I probably still have some of the cables down in my basement.

That being said I do agree cutting the cable will not work. Without proper termination there will be lots of crosstalk and noise on the cable, if it works at all.

[risk_reversal]

rond36 said:
The reason why a 3 connector IDE cable can not be cut is the master device must be connected to the black connector on the end of the cable (the one you want to cut off) and the slave device must be connected to the grey connector in the middle of the cable. If you do not have a master device connected you can not connect a slave device. If you cut the master connector off you can trash the whole cable because it will be useless

jlreich said:
That being said I do agree cutting the cable will not work. Without proper termination there will be lots of crosstalk and noise on the cable, if it works at all.

Silly me. Many thanks. Back to alternative plan B. At least p&p from U.S is only $5.

Good Luck

PS: You guys are just so lucky in the U.S what with Newegg, Frozencpu, Tiger Direct....

[jlreich]

You guys are just so lucky in the U.S what with Newegg, Frozencpu, Tiger Direct....
When I look at UK parts sites I just shake my head. High prices and little selection. :(

[risk_reversal]

jlreich said:
When I look at UK parts sites I just shake my head. High prices and little selection
Well, we are not spoilted for choice that's for sure.

If you want to have a fright have a look at the prices on the Maplins website that will really give you a shock. :eek:

All I have to say is thank goodness for SidewinderComputers and CoolerGuys

Good Luck

[nuz]

I don't think I've ever seen a round cable IDE connector, but is there any particular reason you can't just ignore the middle connector?
You might try ebay though. I went looking for a ribbon type connector a couple of years ago, and they asked for 3-5 GBP each. I ended up buying one from ebay at 50p + 1 Pound postage.
Checked Ebay, abit expensive though.
http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Computing__round-IDE-connector_W0QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A2Q257C65Q253A15Q2 57C39Q253A1QQ_dmptZUKQ5fComputingQ5fCablesConnecto rsQ5fRLQQ_mdoZComputingQQ_sacatZ58058QQ_scZ1QQ_sop Z15QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14?_stpos=&_fcid=3&gbr=1

[nuz]

Or this:
Plexus IDE Cable Rounded UDMA Ultra 133/100 (Black) 24" (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/88072)
Not exactly as per your requirement, but probably cheaper.

[Paul Komski]

Amazon.co.uk has some listed (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h__1_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rounded+ide+cable&sprefix=rounded+).

Could only find singles (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3332/rnd-11/10_Rounded_Single_Device_ATA-133_Cable.html?tl=g2c36s97&id=ScfBWC6h) in the US.

[nuz]

Back to the question I asked earlier, does it really make a difference if you ignore the slave connector in a 3 connector cable?

[Paul Komski]

does it really make a difference if you ignore the slave connector in a 3 connector cable?It can be ingnored - as in not used. But double check jumpering of the lone drive in the master slot. Some HDDs use a different jumper arrangement for Master with Slave than for Master with No Slave.