what caused this IDE error?

[JayP]

I've installed my hard drive as the Primary Master. I've already checked the jumper setting and it is set to Master. I've also got my CD-RW set to Secondary Master, and CD-ROM set to Secondary Slave. All jumper settings are correct. For the hard drive the IDE cable's first connector got ripped off before, so now only 1 connector remains which happens to be at the end of the IDE ribbon.

Now the problem... When I boot up I get this message:
Primary IDE CHANNEL no 80 conductor cable installed
Is this because the IDE cable that I am using is missing the first connector?

[Jon]

Probably so, I would imagine that connector getting ripped off is causing a couple of the wires to short out.

Going to need to replace it.

[Wicked Klown]

One of my friends computer was doing the same. I had to go in to the Bios and do the auto find or what ever it is with the hard drives and it fixed the problem. You could give that a try.

[turd]

1st off, u should not use that cable because it is damaged and who knows what to expect, they are cheap, get a new 1.

anyways, are u sure that the maxtor is jumped correctly for stand alone use, because jumping a drive as master is the usual setting only if a slave is present on most drives.

check your drive manual or the maxtor web site and see just how you jump one for single use