different IDE Cables?

Question

Hello,

I have a Dimension 4100 and I recently purchased a new DVD+RW drive.

My question is can I use the IDE cables that came with the new drive or am I limited to

the IDE cables already in the system? The reason I'm asking is that I notice a slightly

different pin layout on the Dell IDE cables as compared to the cable included with the new

drive. The IDE controller on the motherboard has one less pin in the center of it's layout while

the new cable has a hole for a pin which isn't on the motherboard controller. However, on the

back of the drive, the pin layout doesn't have that extra pin either.

This means the cable that came with the drive doesn't exactly match the Dell IDE controller on

the motherboard nor does it exactly match the pin layout on it's own DVD drive either.

Does DELL use a proprietary pin layout for it's IDE cables?

Can I use the cable that came with the drive with my Dimension 4100 without any problems even though

the pin layouts aren't exactly a match?

The reason I'm asking is that the IDE cable that came with my Dell is possibly damaged and I was hoping

I could use the cable that came with the DVD drive.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ziwpiz · Answer

Dell uses the cable select configuration and therefore uses a special Cable select cable. All the units in your machine are jumped to cable select (CS).

If you need to change cable and use the one that came with the DVD-RW you have to change the jumper setting on both devices hooked to that cable. One for MASTER and one for SLAVE.

Check the users manual for the DVD-RW and see if it wants to be the slave or master and set it acordingly. If MASTER change the other device to SLAVE. If the DVD-RW wants to be the SLAVE set it that way and the other device becomes the MASTER.

Greenwood · Answer

You can use the cable that came with the drive.  Dell does not use propriatary IDE cables.

Greenwood · Answer

Yes Dell sets all of its drives to cable select - and you can do that as well.  You can also do it with the new cable as Dell does not use propriatary cables.  When setting your drives to cable select the drive address is determined by the placement on the cable (end connector or middle connector).  Yes you can use the cable that came with the drive.  The only concern would be to determine if your cables are ATA 100 compatible if you are using an ATA100 hard drive.  If the drive is new the cable should be compatible.

Ziwpiz · Answer

This article should give you some insight to the whole idea! Read the whole article...

lb88 · Answer

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

It seems like I'm getting two slightly different replies:

I can use the cables that came with the new drive but must I set it as 'cable select' or the usual 'Master/Slave' setting.

Does the different pin layout of the new cables require a specific setting or can I use either?

Thanks again

lb88 · Answer

Could you please include a link to the article you are referring to?   Thanks

westomatic · Answer

use whatever.. i bought these 2 days ago.. they kick..http://www.directron.com/uvide.html

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different IDE Cables?

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