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Name: Octopus
Hello. So I have three DVD drives and two HDD on my system. One is HDD is connected with an IDE and the other is SATA. So I was wondering if it would be possible to use the second IDE on the ribbon (the one connected to IDE HDD) and use if for my third DVD drive? I have already tried to do this but the ribbon does not physically reach, are their IDE ribbon expanders if there are such a thing because if the cable was two inches longer it would reach? Or do I need to buy a PCI controller card (think that is what they are called) to hook up more IDE’s? The PSU is large so no worries there. Thanks
Bio Star
2 gig RAM OCZ,
AMD 64 3400 Athlon
Thermaltak SVKing Case
XFX 7600 GT
Zalman CNP Heatsink
500W Antec TruPower
You can purchase IDE cables of different lengths. Check your local computer store. I don't think you will find an extender cable.
Do yourself a favor BACKUP!
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Go online and look for Round SHIELDED IDE cables. You can find them up to 37" and they are much easier to route. More importantly, because thay are shielded the extra length isn't as detrimental. The IDE specs are for 18" cables. Be sure to get shielded cables, not all round are shielded. Try Google or Pricewatch.com.
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Or you could try "reversing" the cable. Assuming that your cable is like this:
1____________________2__________3
You have connector 1 on the MB and the others on the drives. If you can put connector 3 ont he MB and have connector 2 reach the HD, you might be able to get connector 1 up the the DVD.
Be sure that the connectors are properly aligned in the drives (i.e. not upside down).
Michael J
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WOW. Thank you for the all help. I have 3 DVD/CD/RW but only 2 drives that fully work. I have one that only plays CDs and not DVDs but it is still technically a DVD drive. So I brought a new one but still use the old for games. This new one after upgrading my firmwire (lots of coasters when burning) I experience a very slight slow down with audio, but it stil works. So I wanted one which fully worked and was fast. And I burn many ISO's like XP User mentioned so I figured the $38 investment was worth it. Thank you for the quick responses.
Bio Star
2 gig RAM OCZ,
AMD 64 3400 Athlon
Thermaltak SVKing Case
XFX 7600 GT
Zalman CNP Heatsink
500W Antec TruPower
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