It's very easy to modify IDE cables that have the missing key hole. Just heat up a push pin using a match or lighter, then press it into the connector on the cable where the hole should be. Takes all of 5-10 seconds per connector.

Or, depending on how the cable was assembled, there may be a simple plug in the key hole that can be removed by simply impaling it with a pushpin at a slight angle (no head needed) then pulling it out.

I also saw a youtube video some time ago where someone drilled small holes in connectors of those cables.

I've used a sharp knife in the past to rid of the plastic.

(un)bending the end of a paper clip to make it straight and holding with pliers heat up the end of the paper clip with a lighter and push through the plastic and bob is your uncle.

Thanks, i'll have a go with a heated paper clip later 😀

Why don't you just cut the extra pin(s)? It is obviously not connected to anything and the drill trick will not be making it any more connected either 🤣

Total pain in the angus - there are also IDE cables where one of the right or left-most pins is blocked.

The best way to solve this on a motherboard is to remove the pin, heat up the reverse side with a soldering iron, then just pull
on it with some thin pliers.
At least that's what I did with a PC Chips socket 7 mobo of mine, worked well.

I always remove the pins on my motherboards and IO cards, then I can use the better cables and also disallow myself from connecting the cables the wrong orientation.

yeh, it felt like hacking bits off the motherboard wasnt the right way to go about it, but maybe its fine.

It would feel wrong to remove pins from motherboards and I/O cards. It feels like they are broken then...

Baoran wrote:

It would feel wrong to remove pins from motherboards and I/O cards. It feels like they are broken then...

They're not. That pin is an NC. Doesn't do anything.

gdjacobs wrote:

Baoran wrote:

It would feel wrong to remove pins from motherboards and I/O cards. It feels like they are broken then...

They're not. That pin is an NC. Doesn't do anything.

I know it doesn't do anything, but I would still feel about it the same way as if there was a corner of a motherboard broken off that wouldn't affect any functionality. It is still visually broken even if it still works the same as ever.

It's possible to do a very clean job, either by gently working the pin with pliers until it shears at the base or solder sucking the through-hole and removing the pin cleanly. The only difference before and after is that the pin in question has been either trimmed or removed. The mod is also completely reversible with the aid of a donor pin.