Identify the Names Purposes and Characteristics of Internal Cables

Drives require both a power cable and a data cable. A power supply has a SATA power connector for SATA drives, a Molex power connector for PATA drives, and a Berg four-pin connector for floppy drives. The buttons and the LED lights on the front of the case connect to the motherboard with the front panel cables. Figure 1-10 shows some examples of internal PC cables.

Data cables connect drives to the drive controller, which is located on an adapter card or the motherboard. Some common types of data cables are as follows:

Floppy disk drive (FDD) data cable has up to two 34-pin drive connectors and one 34-pin connector for the drive controller.

■ PATA (IDE) data cable has 40 conductors, up to two 40-pin connectors for drives, and one 40-pin connector for the drive controller.

■ PATA (EIDE) data cable has 80 conductors, up to two 40-pin connectors for drives, and one 40-pin connector for the drive controller.

■ SATA data cable has seven conductors, one keyed connector for the drive, and one keyed connector the drive controller.

■ SCSI data cable: Three types of SCSI data cables exist:

■ A narrow SCSI data cable has 50 conductors, up to seven 50-pin connectors for drives, and one 50-pin connector for the drive controller, also called the host adapter.

■ A wide SCSI data cable has 68 conductors, up to 15 68-pin connectors for drives, and one 68-pin connector for the host adapter.

■ An Alt-4 SCSI data cable has 80 conductors, up to 15 80-pin connectors for drives, and one 80-pin connector for the host adapter.

Figure 1-10 Internal PC Cables

Note

A colored stripe on a cable identifies Pin 1 on the cable. When installing a data cable, always ensure that Pin 1 on the cable aligns with Pin 1 on the drive or drive controller. Some cables may be keyed; therefore, they can be connected only one way to the drive and drive controller.

Worksheet 1.4.7: Research Computer Components

In this worksheet, you use the Internet, a newspaper, or a local store to gather information about the components you need to complete your customer's computer from the scenario provided. Be prepared to discuss your selections. Refer to the worksheet in IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Labs and Study Guide, Third Edition. You may complete this worksheet now or wait to do so until the end of the chapter.

FDD Data Cable

FDD Data Cable

SATA Data Cable

PATA Data Cable

SATA Data Cable

PATA Data Cable

Continue reading here: Fire Wire Ports and Cables

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Readers' Questions

  • May Banks
    How is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data cable or a power cable?
    17 days ago
  • The best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data cable or a power cable is to inspect the type of connector on the end of the cable. Data cables typically will have connectors that appear flat or rectangular such as USB, HDMI, or Ethernet. Power cables on the other hand will typically have a cylindrical shaped connector such as a Molex or SATA power connector.
    • murron
      What is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data and instruction?
      2 months ago
    • The best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data or instruction cable is to consult the manual or specifications for the individual components. It should provide information about which cable is used for data and which is used for instruction. Additionally, by visual inspection, instruction cables are typically white or blue, while data cables are typically gray.
      • Stefan
        How to tell the difference between a data cable and a power cable?
        2 months ago
      • A data cable is used to transfer data between two devices, typically a computer and a peripheral device such as a printer, scanner, or external hard drive. Data cables generally have one or more connectors that feature pins, plastic clips, or other fastening mechanisms on each end. A power cable is used to transmit electrical power from a power source to a device. Power cables have connectors that feature two or three prongs on each end. The prongs help determine the voltage and polarity of the power being transmitted. Power cables also have thicker insulation than data cables.
        • fre-qalsi tesfay
          How many pins does a sata internal data cable have?
          2 months ago
        • A SATA internal data cable has 7 pins.
          • hildifons
            How many pins does an internal sata data connector have?
            2 months ago
          • An internal SATA data connector has seven pins.
            • berengario
              What are the names and typesof cable inside the system unit with pictuers?
              1 year ago
            • benigna
              What is i names, 1.4 identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of internal components?
              1 year ago
            • I Names: 1. Motherboard 2. CPU 3. RAM 4. GPU 5. Hard Drive 6. Power Supply 7. Optical Drives Purposes and Characteristics:
              1. Motherboard - The main circuit board of a computer, designed to hold and connect the various components together. It contains slots for RAM, processor, expansion cards and usually a number of ports for connecting external devices.
              2. CPU - Central Processing Unit. The processor is the main component of a computer, responsible for executing instructions. Some of the characteristics are its clock speed, core count, cache size, and bus speed.
              3. RAM - Random Access Memory. Used to store data temporarily while the computer is running, RAM is responsible for quick data access and smooth application performance. The characteristics of RAM include its capacity, speed, latency, and type.
              4. GPU - Graphics Processing Unit. Used to process graphics information, such as 3D animation. Characteristics include the number of cores, clock speed, memory size, and type.
              5. Hard Drive - Storage for long-term data, such as application and system files. Characteristics include its size, type, speed and capacity.
              6. Power Supply - Provides power to all other components of the computer. Characteristics include its wattage and type.
              7. Optical Drives - Used to read or write information from or to optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs. Characteristics include its type (DVD-ROM, DVD-RW, etc.) and speed.
              • Claudia Herzog
                What is identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of cases and power supplies?
                1 year ago
              • Cases: A computer case is the enclosure that contains and protects all of the components of a computer. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, but typically they are made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both. The purpose of the case is to protect and contain the computer components from physical damage, dust, and debris, as well as provide a place to mount or attach the components. Power Supplies: A power supply is a device that supplies electrical power to a computer. It converts the alternating current (AC) power from the wall outlet to direct current (DC) power which is used by the components of the computer. The purpose of the power supply is to convert the voltage and current so that it matches the power requirements of the components in the computer. It also provides protection to the components from power surges. Characteristics of power supplies include wattage, peak power, modularity, and efficiency rating.
                • Celso
                  What is computers internal cable name purpuse and characteristics?
                  1 year ago
                • Internal cables are the cables that connect components inside the computer. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the type of components that need to be connected. Common internal cables include SATA (Serial ATA) for connecting hard drives, IDE and PATA (Parallel ATA) for connecting optical drives, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) for connecting peripherals such as keyboards and mice. They also come in different colors to help identify the type of cable being used. The characteristics of an internal cable depend largely on the type of cable being used and the system they are connecting. Generally, they are designed to be durable to withstand vibration and movement, as well as overheat protection.
                  • JAMES GAMEZ
                    What is name purpuse and characteristics of internal cable?
                    1 year ago
                  • Name Purpose: Internal cables are used to connect components within a system or multiple systems, such as computers and peripherals. Characteristics: The characteristics of internal cables depend on the type of cable used. Some common cable types are USB, Ethernet, coaxial, and fiber optic. Generally speaking, internal cables are designed to be reliable and secure. The type of cable used also affects signal strength and transfer speed.
                    • ISAIAS AMBESSA
                      What are the purpose internal cable?
                      1 year ago
                    • Internal cables are cables that are used to connect different parts of a computer hardware system such as the motherboard, hard drive, optical drives, case fans, and other components. They are also used to connect peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, and other external devices. Internal cables are typically made of shielded cable and are designed to reduce electrical interference.