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#148284 - 12/03/2003 07:06 Replacement hard drive cables
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
Due to a rush in demand for these, we are currently out of stock and awaiting delivery from the suppliers. This could take a couple of weeks or longer. If you are waiting for a replacement cable I apologise for the delay.

I would also ask that you do not request a replacement cable if you don't need one. Rob spends a lot of time processing these, which is fine if your cable is faulty, but is unfair to other customers who need support if you are getting a replacement "just in case".

Rob

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#148285 - 12/03/2003 07:29 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: rob]
maurij
member

Registered: 04/04/2002
Posts: 101
Rob,
Is there an after market cable that could be used or kept around "just in case?"
_________________________
Jason

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#148286 - 12/03/2003 09:09 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: maurij]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
We have them made to order.

Rob

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#148287 - 12/03/2003 09:13 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: rob]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
They're just standard ribbon cable with three standard laptop IDE connectors, right? We could conceivably make them ourselves.

Then again, the improper crimping of the connectors is what caused the flaky cables to being with, and without the proper tool, a homemade cable is equally likely to fail, right?
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#148288 - 12/03/2003 09:54 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: wfaulk]
simspos
enthusiast

Registered: 28/03/2002
Posts: 230
Loc: Dudley, UK
A few years ago I made up some scsi cables. If you're careful then there is no reason why they shouldn't work.

After all, those connectors rely on some pretty low tech principles to work (sharp metal prong penetrates the wire's insulation and subsequently conducts electricity off the core). About as technological as driving a nail through it - though don't try this with the empeg

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#148289 - 12/03/2003 09:59 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: wfaulk]
peter
carpal tunnel

Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
They're just standard ribbon cable with three standard laptop IDE connectors, right?

I think laptop IDE cables have a different conductor spacing from normal IDE cables. Apart from that it's all standard.

Peter

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#148290 - 12/03/2003 10:04 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: peter]
snoopstah
enthusiast

Registered: 07/01/2002
Posts: 339
Loc: Squamish, BC
Don't forget they also have four more wires, making it a 44 pin connector as opposed to the 40 pin connector of a standard desktop IDE cable.

(These four wires carry the power, which is why you don't need to connect a power adaptor to laptop hard disks)
_________________________
Empeg Mk2a 128G with amber lit buttons kit - #30102490

PhotoVancouver | Squamish, BC Webcam | Personal Website

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#148291 - 12/03/2003 15:14 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: peter]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
I once tried a laptop ide cable in my empeg. The spacing was wrong and the connectors were facing the wrong direction.
_________________________

Matt

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#148292 - 12/03/2003 19:22 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: msaeger]
qbasic309
member

Registered: 23/10/2002
Posts: 110
if anyone is in desperate need for a cable I have a
few extra that I could part with. No cost except a
very low shipping fee.


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#148293 - 12/03/2003 20:16 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: wfaulk]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Would the empeg run cooler if we had round cables?

There are so many times when I THINK I need a cable but it always that damn connector on the board. I have to push and push on the f'ing thing to get it to work. I think I'm going to snap the board in half one day.

I know this is a bit off topic, but maybe it will help people that also THINK they need a new cable: Why is this connector so hard to get a good connection with? Do the pins not stand up high enough?
_________________________
Brad B.

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#148294 - 13/03/2003 08:08 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
mrfixit
enthusiast

Registered: 14/06/2002
Posts: 337
Do you have a cold solder joint on the board? You shouldn't have to push on it to get it to work.
_________________________
Ben
mk2a 60gig green/Greenlights Buttons
mk2a 60gig green/Greenlights Buttons
mk2a 40gig blue no illumination....yet
hijacked

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#148295 - 13/03/2003 08:32 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: mrfixit]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
All I know is that if I'm getting pump errors during an upgrade or a "no disk found" message that pushing the cable onto the board fixes it.
_________________________
Brad B.

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#148296 - 13/03/2003 08:44 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
I'll bet you do have a cold solder joint there. Since you're already apparently opening it up, take a magnifying glass to the header and see if you can see any defects. They'll probably be hard to see, so look hard.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#148297 - 13/03/2003 08:54 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
Redrum
old hand

Registered: 17/01/2003
Posts: 998
Pushing down on the cable connector crimps the cable together harder and may indicate a bad cable connection at the termination point. It may also get a cold solder joint to connection however you are not isolating the problem.

Pushing sideways on the connector to get the HD to work would indicate a cold solder joint and for the most part remove the possibility of a badly crimped cable.

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#148298 - 17/03/2003 03:40 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: rob]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Good news - it looks as if we will have new stock of cables within the next few days. For those of you with repairs waiting, sorry about the delay but we should now be able to get them done.

I'll post when the stock comes in.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#148299 - 15/04/2003 07:58 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: schofiel]
sirmanson
journeyman

Registered: 06/03/2002
Posts: 70
Loc: Tucson, AZ USA
I would like one or two of these if you still have any available.
Thanks
_________________________
----- RioCar 60gb

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#148300 - 17/07/2003 09:49 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: qbasic309]
bloch309
new poster

Registered: 22/04/2003
Posts: 9
I am in need of a ribbon cable. I had sent an e-mail to support along tiem ago but never recieved a responce. (I have no cold solder points and I can see the end of the IDE cable is comming up on the right side. )
_________________________
-Richard

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#148301 - 17/07/2003 21:23 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: bloch309]
slammed2001sc2
stranger

Registered: 15/04/2002
Posts: 37
I have emailed support three times in the last couple of months requesting a replacement IDE cable....damn I really miss my Rio
If someone sees this post can I get on the list for a replacement cable please?

Thanks....

[email protected]


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#148302 - 18/07/2003 07:46 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: slammed2001sc2]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Can you mail me one more time at [email protected] please.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#148303 - 18/07/2003 09:24 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: schofiel]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31597
Loc: Seattle, WA
Can you mail me one more time at [email protected] please.
Is there a problem with the forwarding from the address we'd already been accustomed to and that's in the FAQ?
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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#148304 - 18/07/2003 09:50 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: tfabris]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Well, officially it doesn't exist. I suppose I ought to get this sorted out with Rob.

The "official" address for support is now [email protected], but that's only a stopgap until I am really up and running.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#148305 - 18/07/2003 10:00 Re: Replacement hard drive cables [Re: schofiel]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31597
Loc: Seattle, WA
Rob told me to leave the current one in the FAQ until something official changed, because it would still work for the time being. Has that status changed?
_________________________
Tony Fabris

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