So....I need a new IDE cable for my empeg. I've emailed support 3 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep back--I know they're swamped and I'm reluctant to whine too much, but at the same time my player is out of commission until I can get the cable.

I don't suppose any of you nice folks have a spare cable or a source for one?

Sumner

I don't suppose any of you nice folks have a spare cable or a source for one?

Have you tried squeezing the connectors yourself? Are you sure it's even the cable (there's a lot of things besides the cable that can go wrong)?

Have you tried unplugging everything, and "re-crimping" the cable with a vice or a pair of pliers? I just did this today for a friend here at work and his empeg is up and booting again no problems.

DAMN! Foiled by SECONDS.

You would have beat me if I'd decided to re-link the FAQ...

Well, switching to the other connector on the cable fixed things temporarily but that's gone south now too--if I hold it on tight by hand then it works, but soon after letting go it starts flaking out again.

So it seems like a probable cable problem.

Sumner

if I hold it on tight by hand then it works, but soon after letting go it starts flaking out again.

Right, so what about re-crimping like Loren said (instructions for which are in the FAQ)?

The first thing I tried was switching connectors per the FAQ.

The other steps to re-crimp in the FAQ require tools I don't have--I'll try with a pair of pliers tonight and see if that helps. I'm leery about a bogus cable flaking out again in the future, but if I can get this working until I hear from support that would be great.

Thanks for the time,

Sumner

If I were you, I'd put the connector between two small pieces of wood and then applie pressure to the wood via two pliers. That way you won't damage the connector and the pressure you build up with the pliers will be spread more evenly on it.

damn double posts.

Thanks, I'll try the wood trick.

If you still need a cable let me know. I've got a spare one that someone was kind enough to send me when I thought mine was bad.

later,
ajay
(ssharma@odc.net)

On my friend's empeg, switching the cable connector worked for a while, then rerouting the cable under the tray worked for a while. Eventually, we discovered it wasn't the cable at all. It was cold solder joints on the header that had hairline cracks in them and would work if the cable was held the right way. You might want to get that magnifier out and take a peek at the IDE header.

i have the same problem, i used some black electrical tape, and just ran some tape around the drive holding the connection in pretty good, works fine now.. lets see how long this lasts.. i must say though, the stability of my empeg has gotten worse over the last year or so.. behaves a little erratic at times more and more.
brian

If you are really serious about getting a new laptop HD cable there are tons of online sources for them.

Just search google for '44 pin hd cable'

I realize you might wanna get it from the empeg folks(warranty), but there are other sources

The cable inside the empeg isn't a standard part. It's been custom made for empeg and isn't a normal length. One you buy will probably work but is very likely to be too short or too long. You don't want either as it may interfere with the shock mounting.

- Trevor

[edit]Removed the ing at the end of shock. Duh... [/edit]

"shocking mounting"

That's what my car install needs as an anti-theft device.

-Zeke

Doh. Teach me to not reread my posts before pressing the button

- Trevor

One you buy WILL work as I had one in my old player. The place I got mine from even let me specify the length I wanted.

'...It ain't rocket science'

Makes a change from the usual suppliers I've dealt with. Most sales staff wouldn't know what end a mains plug to plug into the wall and they're supposed to be big electronics companies! (Anybody want to hazard a guess about which particular company I'm thinking of in the UK? Begins with M if that helps...)
To be more specific then an off the shelf cable if it fits and doesn't get into the way of anything will work However, if it's way too long or too short then beware.

- Trevor