older IDE cable

Recommended by Wim's BIOS...

I want to install a Maxtor 91021U2 harddrive into an MEC PH50705C motherboard computer . I suppose that is possible , but the IDE connectors on the motherboard have 40 pins and not 39 pins and the IDE cables I have have 39 holes for pins............

........er , yes , I've been shopping and found what I am looking for

[Denniss]

There are always 40 pins on connector and cable but at least one is not connected/used and some manufacturers leave this pin/hole out to prevent mounting the cable in the wrong direction. If you have 40 pins but only 39 holes then you need a new cable with 40 holes

[NickS]

Denniss wrote:

There are always 40 pins on connector and cable but at least one is not connected/used and some manufacturers leave this pin/hole out to prevent mounting the cable in the wrong direction. If you have 40 pins but only 39 holes then you need a new cable with 40 holes

...or if brave/foolish you bend the extra pin backwards and forwards until it snaps off. (A hand wire-wrapping tool is useful for this but there do not seem to be many wire-wrapping tools around these days.)

[Rainbow]

Or just push the cable hard enough into the connector (do not crack the board). It works at least with some cables where the hole is present bud covered with thin plastic on top.

thanks guys , I'm a bit slow but I found what I needed with a bit of research .