Re: off topic: ATA133 backwards compaitibility with ATA100

On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:50:09 -0400, Amadeus W. M. wrote:

I couldn't find a general purpose comp hardware group, but I need
a quick answer, so I'll ask here.

Is ATA133 backwards compatible with ATA100? In other words, can I
plug an ATA133 cable into an ATA100 slot on the motherboard?

I imagine if yes, the whole thing would still work as ATA100, right?

I think long ago when I built my own computer I used to know
these things.


Thanks!


I was wrong in asking about the number of pins. That's always 40:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Technology_Attachment

It's the number of wires the cable is made of that can be either
40 or 80.

Of course, the cable doesn't care about the speed. The speed is
determined by the controller and/or the device. If either one of
them only speaks ata100, then the transfer is not going to
happen at 133. But I can still attach an ata133 disk to an
ata100 motherboard controller, if I so wish.







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