Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!sdrc!scjones
From: scjones@sdrc.UUCP (Larry Jones)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Packard Bell AT Hard Drive
Message-ID: <1041@sdrc.UUCP>
Date: 14 Jan 90 15:53:27 GMT
References: <7558@pt.cs.cmu.edu>
Distribution: na
Organization: SDRC, Cincinnati
Lines: 26

In article <7558@pt.cs.cmu.edu>, dpm@k.gp.cs.cmu.edu (David Maynard) writes:
> 
> While installing an expansion card in my Packard Bell AT clone, I discovered
> that the system uses a 3.5" hard disk drive (40M) manufactured by Western
> Digital.  Instead of the ST-506 control and data cables I was expecting,
> there was a single 40-pin ribbon cable running from the motherboard to the
> drive.  The drive itself has a 50pin header with 10 of the pins unused.
> 
> What interface is this?  The 50pin header would lead me to suspect SCSI, but
> the 10 unused pins make me wonder.  The only hint in the manual is that the
> system uses an "IDE" disk controller.

Strangely enough, it's an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
interface.  It's similar to SCSI in that the entire disk
controller is an integral part of the drive itself rather than
having a separate controller.  Good for reliablility and
simplicity of installation, but not so good for the pocketbook if
you want multiple drives since you have to buy multiple
controllers as well.
----
Larry Jones                         UUCP: uunet!sdrc!scjones
SDRC                                      scjones@SDRC.UU.NET
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