Replacement hard drive cables

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

Rob,
Is there an after market cable that could be used or kept around "just in case?"

We have them made to order.

Rob

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?

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

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

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)

I once tried a laptop ide cable in my empeg. The spacing was wrong and the connectors were facing the wrong direction.

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.

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?

Do you have a cold solder joint on the board? You shouldn't have to push on it to get it to work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I would like one or two of these if you still have any available.
Thanks

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. )

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]

Can you mail me one more time at [email protected] please.

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?

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.

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?