Extending Ide CD-Rom ribbon cable - pics

treetop777 · 01-27-2007, 08:21 PM

Just threw this together to see if would work. I had read that it could be done but i could never find pictures.

Doing this is really tedious, i almost went blind working with all those tiny wires.

It is not all the way done but IT WORK! I can say for sure you wouldn't be able to tell the difference as far as reading data off a cd/dvd. Dvd movie playback was choppy but it could be because my system isn't optimized to play DVD's.

Anyway, here are some pictures

treetop777 · 01-27-2007, 08:24 PM

some more..

2k1Toaster · 01-27-2007, 08:38 PM

never seen so many pictures of a wire!

If it works good for you. I think your DVD playback is because of the length. The longer the cable, the more signal loss so there is more data being resent.

Just how long is the final product? 48" is about the longest I was able to make that was useable. After 36" I started having data loss. 48" was only good for data transfer and not for realtime streaming. It took a lot longer to transfer multi-gigabyte files.

Also, usually it is easier to cut only 1 wire at a time on each side. Then it is just a quick solder and cut the next wire. 10-15 minutes that way! Good solder and patience practice though!

RedGTiVR6 · 01-27-2007, 09:33 PM

internal resistance in the cable is the biggest issue.

Why not just get an external USB or Firewire case? Would have made things much easier...lol

treetop777 · 01-27-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

never seen so many pictures of a wire!

40 to be exact!

I peeled the jacket of each one of those wires (including the CAT-5) with my front teeth!

I did it for the hell of it (i know about USB) http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/general-hardware-discussion/92174-ide-wire-extension-xbox.html but never again!

Ah! she's about 4 1/2 feet and the bundle of cat-5 is almost equal to the circunference of a nickle...

2k1Toaster · 01-27-2007, 10:36 PM

you should go for an active IDE cable that is like 100ft long with little data loss! Make yourself a new world record!

sebberry · 01-28-2007, 01:19 AM

Wouldn't it have been easier to get a roll of that cable and a couple of connectors?

2k1Toaster · 01-28-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sebberry

Wouldn't it have been easier to get a roll of that cable and a couple of connectors?

easy isn't fun!

HDTechnology · 02-04-2007, 11:03 AM

I hope thats shielded UTP your using there. Not much power from ide device, makes it more affected by signal attenuation. if it's not SUTP, make sure its well away from your power cables!

treetop777 · 02-04-2007, 11:15 AM

Nope, it isn't shielded, just plain UTP as opposed to STP. If i use it, i'll keep what you said in mind. Thanks.

HDTechnology · 02-04-2007, 10:09 PM

lol that was a bit stupid, SUTP. Little bit of a contradiction

treetop777 · 02-06-2007, 04:41 PM

Yeah

I figured you'de notice!

musters · 02-07-2007, 10:52 AM

It's never wise to use an extended IDE cable
#1 reason, signal loss - This will lead to data corruption and slower transfer speeds.
#2 reason, it is so much easier just to get a Firewire/USB enclosure and run that line.

02-07-2007, 07:22 PM

Eeek... I'm going to get the SATA adapter for the slim drive. I see SATA cables greater than 40" being sold on NewEgg. I extended the SATA port to the back of my CarPC so I can attach the external drive. Power is simple.