Cable select

[ric449]

I read a lot here that drives which use an 80 conductor cable must be set to cable select. I'm sure I read this is a myth, since all cable select does is choose whether a drive is the master or slave by their position on the cable. So, any thoughts?

[Confused]

I don't know that it is a "must". However newer mobos are designed for the 80 wire cables. ie. Blue mobo connector for Blue end of cable and Black and Grey connectors for Master Slave using Cable Select.

My PC's are set up using 80 wire cables and Cable Select.

Many on this forum still use Master Slave jumpering with the 80 wire cables.
Chas

[TwoRails]

I'm one of "those" that use Master / Slave. It seems that it depends on where you get your info. Many of the top dogs here at PCM say use CS, but other sources like Maximum PC say to use Master / Slave.

I use it mostly because of habit. I've mixed and matched drives, including WDs that many say won't work on a M/S. Even using Maxtor and WD together has worked well for me in a M/S setup.

HTH

TwoRails

[glc]

CS is not mandatory as long as you ALSO put the right connectors in the right places, but it's the way an 80 wire cable was *designed* to be used. You cannot override the cable select wiring with M/S.

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by glc
.... You cannot override the cable select wiring with M/S. Sorry, but I'm not sure I follow. Does that mean that if I do nothing but just change my jumpers (master -> slave, slave -> master) and not the physical position, that the drives will still be properly recognized?

[bailey]

I belive that is true

[glc]

No. They will not be properly recognized. An 80 wire cable is wired to determine master and slave. HAL took a cable apart a few years ago and posted details. It's designed so there is a specific controller connector, master connector, and slave connector. This protocol must be followed, if you try to hook them up differently and override the cable selection with master/slave jumpering, it will not work right. You MAY use master/slave, but the drives MUST be on the correct connectors.

[TwoRails]

OK, thanks for the clarification :)