80 wire vs. 40 wire

[ric449]

I know that the 40 wire cables don't support cable select, but why? The 80 wire cables are just the same as the 40 wire cables, apart from the 40 extra wires that are grounds and don't actually connect to anything. Or with the new cable specification did some of the signals change around?

[doctorgonzo]

Apparently so. According to PC Guide (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/confCable80-c.html), "All 80-conductor cables that meet the ATA specifications support the cable select feature automatically. This is accomplished by special connection of the CSEL signal on pin #28."

[Cricket]

Also, there are some 40 wire IDE cables that are the cable select type. These were mostly used in older name brand computers.

:) Cricket

[ric449]

Ok, thanks guys.