ide cables

[adek]

What is the maximum length of a ide cable as i would like to put the cd drives on the desk but the case under in the cuboard? Anyone know??

 

[Zodiaq]

adek...I believe the maximum length to meet the ATA/IDE standards is 18" although there are plenty at 24" and even 36".

I actually had a 24" when I set up my system and it wouldn't recognize my HDD, luckily I knew that it might be a problem before I used it. I know a few people that haven't had probs. at all using the longer ones, so I guess it's if your lucky or not

There is a chance of minimal data loss when using longer than 18" but I don't think it would be that big a deal with a CD-RW.

 

[shoulin]

seems to me that if you insulate the cable u would have no problem, once i had this idea myself, but i was running it from one room to aother trough a wall (because my comp was soooo nosie) this didnt work that well however because of the power cords in the wall that ran very near.

Give it a try with a 36", burn a few cds if u dont get too many coasters u should be just fine

 

[adek]

thanks guts will try 36" and let you know

 

[spikemic]

i use ultra ata133 cables for everything (80 wire) try the ones of those that are 80 wire and round/insulated.

the other cheat using them is you never have to set jumpers to master/slave, just 'cable select' it will do rest by where you plug it in.

 

[adek]

longest cable i can find is 3 foot so i will go with a usb2 cd rewriter.

 

[Zedric]

Yes, a USB or Firewire drive would be alot smarter IMO.

 

[spikemic]

yes is a much better way to go for a remote drive

 

[TechSupport]

or perhaps u can modify the desk to have holes in the front for the drives

would put a whole new meaning to the term "computer desk" :d

 

[Zedric]

A vertical slot-in in the table would be really cool!

 

[Grymblayd]

I like that vertical slot idea ..it would look great seeing the cd rise from or being retracted into the desk. OH BABY!! Watch where you put your coffee mug tho'!!!

 

[Zedric]

And what if you spill the coffee? *horror*
Maybe a small ridge around the slot would take care of both problems...

Sort of like this:

               Slot
           _  / _
Desk _____/ \  / \____
             ||

 

[Eck]

Yes... perhaps in the future, the PC and desk will become one? Heh

 

[spikemic]

already worked with ideas like that. want me to build one?

a kiosk of some type.....
already have upright games, car computers or info kiosks on paper hardware is the easy part usually........