External hard drive connection

[Bill Wittmer]

I would like to add an exteranl connection to my computer for an ATA drive.
I would like the IDE connector to fit in the slot in the rear of the
computer used for the various PCI cards. The only thing my search came up
with is a IDE card that fits in the PCI slot giving one the option of adding
3 additional ATA hard drives. However, this does not allow the IDE cable to
be brought outside the case without cutting a hole. I found a such a
connection for SATA that connects to the SATA connection on the motherboard
and the other end fits in the PCI opening. This allows for a SATA device to
be connected in the rear of the computer. It in not a matter of just
finding a means to connect an external hard drive since I have the means to
do this with USB. But, I need the means to specifically connect a hand
drive with an IDE connection externally and hopefully in the rear. This is
for appearances and for a specific application. If worse comes to worse, I
can just leave the case open or cut a hole in the side. I am hoping someone
has come across such an external IDE connectiong that I have in mind. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Bill

 

[Rod Speed]

I would like to add an exteranl connection to my computer for an ATA
drive. I would like the IDE connector to fit in the slot in the rear
of the computer used for the various PCI cards. The only thing my
search came up with is a IDE card that fits in the PCI slot giving
one the option of adding 3 additional ATA hard drives. However, this
does not allow the IDE cable to be brought outside the case without
cutting a hole. I found a such a connection for SATA that connects
to the SATA connection on the motherboard and the other end fits in
the PCI opening. This allows for a SATA device to be connected in
the rear of the computer. It in not a matter of just finding a means
to connect an external hard drive since I have the means to do this
with USB. But, I need the means to specifically connect a hand drive
with an IDE connection externally and hopefully in the rear. This is
for appearances and for a specific application.

What specific application ?

If worse comes to worse, I can just leave the case open or cut a hole in the side.

No need to do that, just take one of the blanking plates out
of the card slot area and run the ribbon cable out there.

I am hoping someone has come across such an external IDE connectiong that I have in
mind.

Never seen one on offer.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

See above.

 

[CWatters]

I would like to add an exteranl connection to my computer for an ATA drive.
I would like the IDE connector to fit in the slot in the rear of the
computer used for the various PCI cards.

How long a cable does this imply? Long ATA/IDE cables aren't a good idea and
a standard ATA cable won't reach far if routed out via the back panel. One
of the reasons for inventing SATA was because of the limitations of the
standard parallel ATA cable. The extra ground wires that took it from 40 way
to 80way were added as a stop gap to allow a bit more performance without
the reliability suffering. I can't say a longer cable definitly won't work
but I wouldn't rely on it..

How will you power the external ATA drive? Presumably you want power to come
out the same way? It's not a good idea to use a seperate power supply. Could
well make the system more sensitive to mains bourne transients (spikes).

What you propose is ok as a temporary thing to clone a drive but parallel
ATA wasn't designed for this sort of thing. SCSI and SATA were.

 

[Arno Wagner]

I would like to add an exteranl connection to my computer for an ATA drive.
I would like the IDE connector to fit in the slot in the rear of the
computer used for the various PCI cards. The only thing my search came up
with is a IDE card that fits in the PCI slot giving one the option of adding
3 additional ATA hard drives. However, this does not allow the IDE cable to
be brought outside the case without cutting a hole. I found a such a
connection for SATA that connects to the SATA connection on the motherboard
and the other end fits in the PCI opening. This allows for a SATA device to
be connected in the rear of the computer. It in not a matter of just
finding a means to connect an external hard drive since I have the means to
do this with USB. But, I need the means to specifically connect a hand
drive with an IDE connection externally and hopefully in the rear. This is
for appearances and for a specific application. If worse comes to worse, I
can just leave the case open or cut a hole in the side. I am hoping someone
has come across such an external IDE connectiong that I have in mind. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

This will not work. Adding a connector to an IDE cablke breaks its
configuration and may well make it inoperable. Flast cables
are limited to something like 70cm in total (!) lenght,
rounded ones may be limited to less for reliable operation.
A connector on the back on the computer could bring that
down to 30cm or less or prevent reliable operation completely.

You need to use a different technology. USB and Firewire comes
to mind.

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

I would like to add an exteranl connection to my computer for an ATA drive.
I would like the IDE connector to fit in the slot in the rear of the
computer used for the various PCI cards.

The only thing my search came up with is a IDE card that fits in the
PCI slot giving one the option of adding 3 additional ATA hard drives.

http://www.abcusinc.com/ICS-ImageMASSterDriveLockIDE-Kit.html
I have come across a similar card once, some post is suggesting it might have been a
Promise although I would have thought more of HighPoint, but I can't find it back.
May have also been on the Cooldrives site or on Addonics's, but again, can't find
it anymore.

However, this does not allow the IDE cable to be brought outside the case
without cutting a hole.

You can if you modify the (or any) bracket, folding it so the cable can pass.

I found a such a connection for SATA that connects to the SATA connection
on the motherboard and the other end fits in the PCI opening. This allows for a
SATA device to be connected in the rear of the computer. It in not a matter
of just finding a means to connect an external hard drive since I have the means
to do this with USB. But, I need the means to specifically connect a hand
drive with an IDE connection externally and hopefully in the rear.

This is for appearances and for a specific application.
If worse comes to worse, I can just leave the case open or cut a hole in the side.

Yeah, why remove a bulkhead bracket plate and feed the cable throught that if you
can do the above.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

This will not work.

Of course it will.

Adding a connector to an IDE cablke breaks its configuration

What configuration.

and may well make it inoperable.

Flast cables are limited to something like 70cm in total (!) lenght,

So you have 55-60 cm to work with.

rounded ones may be limited to less for reliable operation.
A connector on the back on the computer could bring that
down to 30cm or less

You pulled that out of your ass.

or prevent reliable operation completely.

Or work just fine. There has been a proposal (that never made it to spec)
for longer cables because many chipsets actually could drive longer cables.

 

[Bill Wittmer]

Thanks for all the input. I think the best solution for my problem is using
something like the UTLTRA ATA/100 32BIT PCI-2CH IDE Controller card and then
running a cable out the back along with a power connection. This way I do
not have to contend with a cable length problem if I ran it from the IDE
connection on the motherboard. The DriveLockIDE Kit is just what I may be
looking for, but the cost is more than what I am willing to spend. Thanks
for all your suggestions.

Regards,
Bill