PCA Forums

i'm trying to find an IDE cable for an external hard drive enclosure i have. it's about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in length.

problem is i cannot find any in the size i need. smallest size is 6 inches which will not fit into the enclosure i have.

anyone know where I can get one, online or retail?

Here ya go!

http://www.coolerexpress.com/stflriideca2.html

Edit: Or, if you don't want to spend the dough, you can cut off the end of a standard 18"+ IDE cable and use that.

Assume this drawing was an IDE cable. It's not mine, I borrowed it from another site for the demo

[]===============X[]======[]
[]===============X[]======[]
[]===============X[]======[]
[]===============X[]======[]
[]===============X[]======[]

Just cut where the X's are, and use the shorter end. It should work fine, but make sure the cut is clean and as close to the connector as possible, as not to short any of the wires

thanks alot.. just saved me the hassle of ordering online and waiting.

i just cut a cable as mentioned in your diagram and all is working.

thanks again

Actually, you can make any size you want, just pry the clips at the end of the terminals up & pull the plastic parts off of the cable. Then just press it down where ever you like (suggest a pair of pliers). Then when you have everything good, just trim with a razor blade.

Problem is, crimping an IDE cable, especially an 80-conductor, is a pain, unless you have the special tools. It has to be just so, perfectly straight, and even then it could be messed up.

Never had much trouble myself, but hey, I'm willing to do stupid stuff for the heck of it. Though, SATA is the way to go now a days.

Amen to that XD e-SATA, more specifically