SATA connector warning

**Cross_** · 03-26-2007, 05:20 PM

Just a heads-up for people building systems with SATA drives:
the hard disk connectors are FRAGILE !

Almost had my in-dash system ready for its first test drive, unfortunately when powering it up the BIOS complained about missing hard disk. As it turned out both SATA connectors (power & data) were cleanly broken off. Apparently pressure from the nearby screen mount pushed on the cables and decapitated the disk. Condolences are accepted. Let this be a lesson: handle these plastic connectors with care !

**Laidback** · 03-26-2007, 05:27 PM

Maybe you're just heavy handed? Urban Dictionary: Heavy Hands

**Cross_** · 03-26-2007, 06:48 PM

You mean I might be breaking organic parts too ??

**tooch** · 03-26-2007, 09:40 PM

Yeah those SATA connectors break really really easily. They are a crappy design.

**2k1Toaster** · 03-26-2007, 09:49 PM

Everyone knows SATA connectors on both the harddrive and motherboard are flimsy as hell. The connectors on the cables are almost as bad, but a cable is cheap to fix.

That is why I never reccommend SATA drives in mobile environments. For my desktop because I always use those SATA to IDE converters that can be had for like $5 to $10, and then epoxy those in place. IDE is awesome!