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On a standard 80-conductor IDE/PATA cable, connect the blue end to the motherboard or host controller, the black end to the master (device 0) drive, and the gray middle connector to the slave (device 1) drive. Set each drive’s jumper to match its role, unless both drives are configured for cable select.
Which IDE connector goes where?
The color-coded connectors on a standard 80-conductor UltraDMA cable indicate their positions and roles:
| Connector | Connect it to |
|---|---|
| Blue | Motherboard or host controller |
| Black, at the far end | Master / device 0 drive |
| Gray, in the middle | Slave / device 1 drive |
ASUS gives the same installation order in its motherboard manual: blue to the primary or secondary IDE connector, gray to the slave device, and black to the master device. A technical reference also identifies the black end as master/device 0 and gray middle as slave/device 1 (UltraDMA cable reference).
How to connect one or two drives
One drive
Connect a single drive to the black end connector, not the gray middle connector. Leaving the middle connector unused creates an unattached cable stub that can cause signaling problems; for UltraDMA, the single device belongs at the cable end (technical reference).
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- 80-Wire IDE Ribbon Cable
- 3x 40-Pin (2x20) IDC Connectors
- Ultra ATA 66/100/133
- Length : 24-inches
- UPC : 194732005348
Two drives
Connect the master/device 0 drive to black and the slave/device 1 drive to gray. The blue connector remains attached to the motherboard or host controller.
Do you need to change the master/slave jumper?
Yes, if you are assigning master and slave roles explicitly: set each drive’s jumper to match its intended role. The jumper map varies by drive model, so check the label on the drive or its documentation rather than assuming a universal pin position. With cable select, use the drives’ cable-select setting instead; the cable’s wiring and connector position determine the roles. Seagate describes two ATA drives on a 40-pin/80-conductor cable as a master/slave pair and explains cable-select operation in its ATA installation guidance.
Rank #2
- For Ultra ATA/100, Ultra ATA/66, Ultra ATA/33 and DMA, and with EIDE/IDE hard drives & CD-ROM drives
- 24" Ultra IDE 80-Wire Ribbon Cable
- 3 Connectors for 2 Devices
What if the cable is an older 40-conductor type?
Do not assume the blue/gray/black convention applies. On a legacy 40-conductor cable, connectors are electrically equivalent when drives are assigned with explicit master/slave jumpers; use an end connector for a single device rather than leaving it on the middle connector (40-conductor cable reference). The 80-conductor cable is the color-coded type used for UltraDMA connections.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to orient the cable safely
Match the cable’s red or otherwise marked edge with pin 1 on the drive and motherboard connector. Also align the connector’s blocked opening with the missing or blocked pin-20 position. Do not force a connector if its key does not line up; ASUS documents these orientation points in its installation instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Country of Manufacture: CHINA; Material: Plastic, Metal
- Net Weight: 86g; Package Content: 2pcs x Flat Ribbon Cable
- Main Color: Gray; Design: 40P Female to Female
- Pitch: 2.54mm
- Total Size: 50 x 5.1cm/ 2 x 2inch (L*W)
Rank #4
- Country of Manufacture: CHINA
- Material: Plastic, Metal; Net Weight: 52g
- Package Content: 2pcs x Flat Ribbon Cable; Main Color: Gray
- Design: 40P Female to Female; Pitch: 2.54mm
- Total Size: 20 x 5 cm/ 8 x 2inch (L*W); Model: FC-40
Rank #3
- Type: IDE 40-Pin Male to Female Extension Cable Cord
- Cable Length: 6-inches ( 15.2 Centimeters )
- Compatible for such as 3.5inch IDE interface Hard Drives, 5.25inch IDE CD and DVD. NOT For any LCD or Monitors
- Not Compatible with 2.5inch PATA Hard Drives, please note
- Please Note: 40Pin equals 39PIN and 1x Empty Position which is Fool-proof design, to avoid anti-plug.
Check the cable before connecting it
- Confirm it is an 80-conductor IDE/PATA cable if you need the blue, gray, and black role coding.
- Use a standard 40-pin desktop PATA cable and connector; laptop interfaces may use 44-pin connections and are not interchangeable.
- For explicit master/slave setup, verify both drive jumpers match the selected roles. For cable select, configure both drives for cable select.
- With one drive, use the black end connector; with two, use black and gray.
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