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Identify the Names Purposes and Characteristics of Internal Cables

Advance Technical Repair of Laptops Motherboard

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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

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