[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] IDE drives: are the interfaces all the same?

grandi@noao.edu (Steve Grandi CCS) (09/13/90)

I have a CompuAdd 386SX system that uses the IDE disk interface.  I
also have a 40 Mbyte Connors drive take from a defunct system that
also claims to use the IDE interface.  So, I think, I will just plug
in the Connors drive into the CompuAdd box and compute away...

The ribbon cables are not even the same width!  Is the IDE interface
"standard"?  Should I be able to fudge a cable to make this drive
work?

Any pointers will be appreciated.
-- 
Steve Grandi, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, Arizona USA
Internet: grandi@noao.edu SPAN/HEPNET: NOAO::GRANDI (NOAO=5355) +1 602 325 9228

grege@gold.GVG.TEK.COM (Greg Ebert) (09/13/90)

In article <1990Sep13.133535.23517@noao.edu> grandi@noao.edu (Steve Grandi  CCS) writes:
>I have a CompuAdd 386SX system that uses the IDE disk interface.  I
>
>The ribbon cables are not even the same width!  Is the IDE interface
>"standard"?  Should I be able to fudge a cable to make this drive
>work?
>

40 pins = IDE interface
34 pins = ST506 control cable (NOT IDE, or a subset thereof)

frank@ut-emx (Frank Abernathy) (09/14/90)

In article <1452@gold.GVG.TEK.COM>, grege@gold.GVG.TEK.COM (Greg Ebert) writes:
> In article <1990Sep13.133535.23517@noao.edu> grandi@noao.edu (Steve Grandi  CCS) writes:
> >The ribbon cables are not even the same width!  Is the IDE interface
   .....stuff deleted

> 40 pins = IDE interface
> 34 pins = ST506 control cable (NOT IDE, or a subset thereof)
  
  To not confuse the issue.......(maybe)
  20 pins = SECOND part of ST506 cable SET....

  50 pins, same style as the IDE connector is generally SCSI...

later 
frank
-- 
Frank Abernathy, University of Texas at Austin, frank@ut-emx.utexas.edu
Work: (512)-471-3216      Home: (512)-244-0625 (ans. mach always on...)

brim@cbmvax.commodore.com (Mike Brim - Product Assurance) (09/19/90)

In article <1990Sep13.133535.23517@noao.edu> grandi@noao.edu (Steve Grandi  CCS) writes:
> 
> The ribbon cables are not even the same width!  Is the IDE interface
> "standard"?  Should I be able to fudge a cable to make this drive
> work?
> 

Technically IDE is not an interface.  It simply states that the controller is
on the drive (IDE = integrated drive electronics).  

IDE drives may have SCSI, AT, or XT interfaces.  Even ESDI in some way can be
called an IDE drive but usually isn't.
-- 
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Mike Brim			     |	Commodore Electronics Limited
PC Analyst - System Evaluation Group | 	West Chester, PA 19380
Product Assurance		     |	InterNet: brim@cbmvax.commodore.com
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