IDE on Motherboard

There is two connectors for the IDE. Generally there is one blue and one white. However this does not apply to all motherboards.

The blue one indicates IDE0 (the first IDE connector) The white one indicates IDE1 (secondary connector). The primary hard drive gets connected to the blue one. CD-ROM, tape drives and in some cases secondary hard drives get plugged into the white one.

The motherboard can have 4 devices (2 on each cable)

Because the connectors are notched, the connectors will only go in one direction. The Floppy drive connector (is being phased out and will not be on the newer systems) Looks just like the IDE connectors but smaller, so IDE cables will not plug into them.

This technology is used for Desktop and Laptop hard drives. They are also used for CD-ROM drives and a few other devices.

This technology is being phased out and being replaced with the SATA technology. You will not see this on newer systems.

IMPORTANT!!!

When you install a drive that is IDE, you must turn the computer off first. For instructions on installing, click here