Solved Compatible?

[Endemix]

Is this:

Western Digital Caviar Special Edition 80.0GB Internal Hard Drive
Model: WD800JBRTL

System Requirements
IBM or 100% compatible PC; Windows 95 or later; EIDE interface (40-pin connector); 3.5" or 5.25" drive bay; Ultra ATA-capable system

Compatible with my system? I know for a fact I have an Ultra ATA-capable system but I don't know about the rest.


I have some info down below, but if it's not enough -- ask me what you need and where to get it.

 

[Davey7549]

Steve
Yes the unit is compatable with the system listed below in your signature. But see note below.... The only question we cannot detemine is if you have an extra open drive bay for installation. Here is some more information on the unit from WD.
http://www.wdc.com/products/current/retailkits/wd800jbrtl.asp#physical

Dave

Quote: **Note: A 40-pin 40-conductor IDE cable can be used but will limit the device to a maximum transfer rate of Ultra ATA/33
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/ata100.htm

 

[Endemix]

**Note: A 40-pin 40-conductor IDE cable can be used but will limit the device to a maximum transfer rate of Ultra ATA/33
http://www.intel.com/support/mother...ktop/ata100.htm

Why is this?

 

[Davey7549]

Endemix
Unfortunatly I cannot answer the exact technical reason why this is and would only be speculating. Maybe someone else knows and will pop in and tell.

Dave

 

[JohnWill]

The reason for the 80 conductor cable is that the extra 40 conductors are all ground, which acts like a shield for the active conductors. Since the higher speeds reach frequencies of 133mhz, the unshielded 40 conductor cable isn't up to the task and introduces errors.

This was graphically illustrated to me with some drive drawers, ATA-133 didn't work through the connectors, since they weren't designed for that speed! It would trash the drive every time I used it.

The eighty conductor cable is readily available, this is a no-brainer, use the correct cable for maximum performance.