Connecting IDE -> CF card to SCSI to IDE card

[sim085]

Hello,

Sorry for my stupidity in this regard. However is it irrelevant how I connect the IDE -> CF card to the SCSI to IDE card?

I am asking because either way it fits

I do not know if my question is clear enough; basically my SCSI -> IDE adapter has a place where I can connect the IDE -> CF adapter. However I can't understand in which way I should fit this because it fits ok either way.

Regards,
Sim085

[Thomas]

You have to find out the right way, otherwise it will fry.

Check if there are labels on the boards. Pin 1 should be marked somehow (a 1, a dot, an arrow, something like that).

[sim085]

(see post below)

[sim085]

Sorry; I took some more time looking at both cards. On the IDE -> CF card, the IDE (male) socket has a small arrow which points to the first pin on the socket.

On the SCSI to IDE card, the IDE (female) adapter is fully numbered from 1 to 40 (very small print).

However it is impossible to connect the pin pointed by the arrow on the IDE -> CF adapter directly in the whole labeled '1' in the SCSI -> IDE card!

Is this normal? Sorry if the question may sound stupid; unfortunately I do not have any experience on these things

[Thomas]

If the connectors match, then it should work. The arrow does not necessarily point to pin1 but only to the end where pin 1 and 2 are.

If you have a spare 3.5" HDD, you should compare the connections. The SCSI-IDE adapter usually fits exactly behind the HDD. The HDD then has the reverse protection notch at the top and pin 1 is on the right.

[Thomas]

I've attached a photo. I don't have a SCSI-IDE adapter at hand, but perhaps the cable is sufficient. You see that there are two reverse voltage protections: a notch and a missing pin. The HDD has the notch on the top and pin 1 on the right. The cable has the opposite of the notch on the top and pin 1 (the red line) on the right (if you turn the cable to connect it, pin 1 is on the right, too).

Bye,
Thomas

[sim085]

Thank you for your answer. However I have only one problem; on my IDE -> CF card, if I put the notch on the top, the arrow is on the left and not on the right! (as in the image). Is it possible?

[Thomas]

Don't you have a manual for the device ? A booklet or something ?

Perhaps the arrow points to pin 40.

Or they mounted the connector upside down by accident.

Or the arrow does not belong to the IDE connector.

[sim085]

Nop, the SCSI -> IDE adapter came without a manual. However have no problem with that since it has every pin properly labelled. The IDE -> CF Adapter has a peace of paper but it is in Chinese ... not my favourite language

I am considering of buying a new IDE -> CF adapter at this point.

Just one more question; What would get fried if I connect the two adapters wrongly?

A) SCSI -> IDE adapter
B) IDE -> CF adapter
C) Both

[alexh]

AFAIK if you get an 40-pin IDE cable the wrong way round nothing gets fried, but I'd ask a few more people first.

From what I remember, just like the FDD if you get the cable the wrong way round the activity light comes on and stays on?

[sim085]

I sent an email to the person who sold me the item and I hope I'll manage to find the correct way to plug it in soon.

Just something different but similar;

At the bottom of the IDE -> CF adapter there is a (white) 4 pin socket. What is it and do I have to fit anything there?

[Thomas]

At the bottom of the IDE -> CF adapter there is a (white) 4 pin socket. What is it and do I have to fit anything there?

It's probably the power connector. You should connect a floppy power cable there.

See the attached photo. On the right there is the power connector and a matching cable.

[sim085]

Yes that is what I was refering to...

hmmm... This is more complicated then I thought of. Inside my GVP A500 HD+ I do not have any floppy power connector. All I have is the hard drive power connector. Do I have to solder the floppy power connector with the hard drive power connector?

Additionally; Is there maybe a step - by - step tutorial on how this mod can be built? I have the parts, but really do not know what I have to do with them.

[alexh]

All you need is an off the shelf power splitter Molex -> 2x Floppy. (assuming SCSI->IDE adapter also needs floppy power)

Plug SCSI cable into SCSI->IDE adapter, plug IDE->CF into SCSI->IDE adapter. Connect splitter to the power supply and the cables to both to both of them. Prep CF card on the PC using WinUAE, insert into IDE->CF adapter. Put everything back together.

I'd probably consider making a slot in the HD8+ case so you can insert/remove CF card without taking the case apart. This will probably require building a harness to screw the boards into the case, or if you are more confident, gluing it in place.

[sim085]

Thanks alexh,

I bought this one;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260372225724&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

Thanks for the advise