'Strange' ATA cable...

[Burke]

Anyone ever used an ATA cable like this? I ordered it on a lark and just opened it.


http://www.burkehamblin.net/images/speedguide/atacable1.jpg


http://www.burkehamblin.net/images/speedguide/atacable2.jpg

[Brent]

looks like a rounded ide cable to me, with a ground wire

nothing abnormal

[Burke]

Originally posted by Brent
looks like a rounded ide cable to me, with a ground wire

nothing abnormal

Well, I mean I've never seen an ATA cable with a friggin' ground wire! Guess I need to get around hardware more often.

[poptom]

That would be for the "unique shielding structure"

[LT-73]

Um, it even shows you a diagram on the box. Don't be alarmed, it's only a ground wire. ;)

[drdoug99]

is that ground wire so that if you by chance DO statically discharge on your computer, it protects your HDD's from burning up?? first time i've seen something like that.

[Burke]

Originally posted by drdoug99
is that ground wire so that if you by chance DO statically discharge on your computer, it protects your HDD's from burning up?? first time i've seen something like that.

It's used because the mesh around the wiring is metallic and needs to be grounded...

[LT-73]

hmmmmmmm, i thought it was some kind of coating like fake nylon. No wonder it has a ground wire.

way kewl !