Since installing a new hard drive computer freezes up

I recently had to install an new hard drive. Ever since installing it I've had problems with my computer freezing up. When I reboot I get a message: Primary IDE Channel 80 no conductor cable installed. I have gone over the installation instructions and everything seems ok. I have checked the fans and they are all okay. What now?

This question was answered on January 4, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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You should have the 80-conductor ATA cable on the Primary channel, and only need one for the Secondary channel if you place a hard drive there as well (assuming it's ATA 66 or faster) The CDROM drives should not require an 80 conductor cable

There are two types of IDE cables: 40- and 80-conductor The 80-conductor cables are required for the high speed UDMA modes (above UDMA33 IIRC) That message would seem to indicate that the system has detected that you only have a 40-conductor attached to your primary IDE drive, which will limit its speed.

Installing the 80-Conductor IDE Cable

The 40-pin 80-conductor cable is orientation specific The cable connectors are color-coded: blue for the host connector, black and gray for the primary and secondary disk drives The blue connector should be installed into the Primary IDE connector.

All Ultra ATA/66 devices should be attached to a single channel and devices that do not support Ultra ATA/66 should be connected to a separate channel In single drive configurations, connect the primary drive to the end connector on the 40-pin 80-conductor cable.

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Posted by cristina of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on January 4, 2005

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