An ATA IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drive cable is used to connect an IDE hard drive to a computer's motherboard. IDE is an older interface standard that was commonly used in computers for connecting storage devices like hard drives and optical drives.

Here are key features and information about an ATA IDE cable:

1. Connector Types:

• 40-pin Ribbon Cable: The standard ATA IDE cable typically has a 40-pin connector (sometimes 44 pins for smaller drives, like laptop hard drives).
• Connector Design: The cable usually has a wide, flat design and multiple connectors:
  • Primary Connector: Connects to the motherboard.
  • Secondary Connector(s): Connects to the hard drive(s), optical drive, or any other IDE-compatible device.

2. Cable Length:

• These cables come in various lengths, typically ranging from 18 inches to 36 inches. The length you need depends on the internal layout of your PC case and the distance between the motherboard and the storage device.

3. Pin Count:

• 40-Pin Cable: This is the traditional type for most desktop computers. It supports a maximum of two devices on a single cable.
• 44-Pin Cable: A variant used for laptop hard drives, with a smaller connector and slightly different pin layout.

4. Speed and Data Transfer:

• The ATA IDE interface supports different versions of speeds:
  • ATA-33: 33 MB/s data transfer rate.
  • ATA-66: 66 MB/s data transfer rate.
  • ATA-100: 100 MB/s data transfer rate.
  • ATA-133: 133 MB/s data transfer rate.
• These cables can support up to ATA-133 speeds, depending on the version of the IDE controller and the devices connected.