Hi. My HDD switch is going good, and now I want to add more to it. Rather than have the two HDDs connected to the motherboard, I want to have the 2 HDDs run to a PCB, Perf Board or Project box. I'd then have two of the IDE connectors found on the motherboard on the PCB, then wire the 2 up to another IDE connector, and have that run to the motherboard. This should work because only one of the HDDs would be powered up at once. This would also enable me to possibly add two HDDs to my Windows switch, because I'll also use the comp to capture TV. Anyway, my questions are, 1. Does anyone know of a retailer that sells IDE connectors? 2. Any flaws in this plan? 3. I thought I read somewhere that if a IDE cable is too long it can corrupt the data? Is this true? What is the maximum length? Thanks alot.
to number 3. i think the IDE cable can't b longer than 1m in total, not sure but i think thats what i read once..... i'd try to keep under that though. 90cm max
for the plugs, i suggest you find an old mobo and HDD's and hack off the plugs... but how are you going to switch all 40 leads? or was it that you meant?
Well, I dont' figure that I would need to because, one chain going to this switcher will have 2 HDDs, and one will only have one. I then have relays powered by a switch, and the switch can only power one relay at a time. Therefore wouldn't it just act like it is passing through, because none of the drives one one branch will be powered while say the linux drive is. Linux (Powered) | | | ====---------------Windows One and Windows Two(Un Powered) | | To MoBo So theoretically, I gould get the three drives to occupy just one drive channel right? So I wouldn't need to switch between which drive occupys the channel because wouldn't the power do that? I mean, the drive can't send any data when it isn't powered right? <EDIT> Damn it my crappy diagram didn't work. Its suppowed to be 2 windows drives and one linux to a box, and then that box goes to the mobo. <EDIT2> I fixed the diagram. Hope you understand it.
