could you direct me where to go to find out about ordering a replacement cable, OR like i said before, can i simply use a generic laptop style cable instead? just in case my problems have stemmed from the ide cable

Email [email protected]

A generic laptop IDE cable will probably not have the connectors - well the middle one anyway - in the proper position, or be of the same length, to fold in the same way the original (custom) cable. That could cause trouble for the drive plate to move properly, or rub or press against some component.

/Michael