Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.videocards.ati (
More info?)
Paul Murphy wrote:
> "J. Clarke" <jclarke.usenet@snet.net.invalid> wrote in message
> news:d1eop81n2j@news3.newsguy.com...
> <snip>
>> Be very careful about getting this particular part off of ebay--they are
>> quite fragile--that big square connector block without a strong retention
>> was a design blunder and it's easy for pins to get bent or broken off.
>
> Perhaps they've modified them at some stage - looking at mine (which was
> only recently acquired in a sealed bag), the pins are shorter than the
> outer shield so the only way to bend them would be if something was poked
> into where the pins are, from end on - i.e. users abusing them.
You haven't seen what happens to that outer shield after a few years of use
then. It _looks_ durable and seems to lock, but it comes apart with
amazing ease with only very slight side pressure, and when it does the
shield bends. And after a while it's belled sufficiently that it provides
no alignment. And then it's very easy to get the connector positioned so
that one or more pins gets bent. And once that happens it's only time
before they start breaking.
On the AIW 9600 ATI used a similar connector, only it screws down. There's
a reason they added the screws.
> I agree
> its always a good idea to be wary when buying from eBay though. I checked
> again today and that Blisware site is still playing up and their eBay shop
> is still empty - looks like that cable/adapter I listed the link to was
> the second to last item Blisware had received eBay feedback for. Unless
> the OP needs this super urgently, there are bound to be other chances
> coming along to pick one up for much less than $40 + postage. It reminds
> me of when ATI in Canada were charging over the odds for MMC CDs to those
> in the US and Canada. I was sent 2 of them for free by their Ireland
> office (they must have had me listed twice on their database) - very handy
> since I have 3 All In Wonder Radeon cards.
>
> Paul
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)