Plextor PX-800A, Installation And User Manual

Page: 23 / 94

Section 2. Installing the PX-800A Internal ATAPI Drive
PX-800A Installation and Users Manual
15
Before you install your PX-800A, your computer’s IDE configuration is
usually one of the following:
•
Configuration A : Hard disks connected as Master and Slave devices
on primary IDE port; DVD or CD-ROM drive connected as the
Master device on secondary IDE port.
•
Configuration B : Hard disk connected as Master device and DVD
or CD-ROM drive connected as Slave on the primary IDE port;
nothing connected to secondary IDE port.
•
Configuration C : Hard disk connected as Master device on primary
IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.
•
Configuration D : System uses special “Cable Select” cables; all
devices are jumpered for Cable Select.
Inspect Your Computer’s Cables
To ensure that it can write at maximum rated speed (16X), you should
make sure the PX-800A is connected to an 80-conductor IDE/ATA flat
ribbon cable. If you have an older computer, it may still be equipped
with a 40-conductor cable.
NOTE : Although the newer IDE/ATA cable has 80 conductors (wires), its
connectors have only 40 pins, so it’s physically interchangeable with the
older cable. And in fact, your PX-800A drive
may work fine with a 40-
conductor cable. But to ensure writing at maximum speed, it’s best to use
the newer 80-conductor cable. The 80-conductor cable cancels
interference much better than the older model, allowing faster data
transfers.
CAUTION : The length of any IDE cable cannot exceed 18 inches.