Computer and Software Support


Primary IDE controller

   

Allows you to connect a hard drive or other IDE device to the system. Usually a hard drive is connected to the IDE0/Primary connector on the IDE cable and the IDE cable is plugged into the primary IDE controller.

This is not always the case however. Some people has a controller card connected to a PCI slot and the hard drive will be connected there. Some networked systems do not use a local hard drive but a drive that is on the network. In this case there is no hard drive on the system.

People usually use the secondary slot on the IDE cable that is plugged into the primary IDE controller for a second hard drive or a zip drive.

You can connect a CD-ROM to this connector but there is a possibility that it will slow the hard drive down.

The location on the motherboard varies depending on the motherboard that you have. In general the connector is usually on the front portion of the motherboard and along the edge of the motherboard.

Some boards have the secondary IDE controller behind the primary. Other boards have them lined up side by side. Majority of time the primary IDE controller is blue and the secondary is black or brown (not always the case)

For a picture of a motherboard and what the controller may look like click here.