enzo matrix :
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/partsMotherboard-c.html
I was hoping an HP Server tech would answer my question. Since that hasn't happened yet, more detail is needed from me:
The power supply isn't involved here; P2 feeds power to the back plane, as mentioned in my question, which feeds power in turn to the 4 10,000 rpm SCSI drives, because these drives have 80 pins, (no separate power pins as do the common IDE drives, and some SCSI drives). P2, as I mentioned, has 14 pins, and its cable has the colors mentioned.
The reason I guessed at the usage per color is that I have no wish to blow the back plane (irreplaceable) or these LVD Ultra 160 MB/S fast drives (essentially irreplaceable) made by IBM for HP.
So, even though the power supply information you gave a link for is interesting, it only applies IF HP decided to follow the ATX color code in 2000. And as I said, this connector only has 14 pins, and ATX has (usually) 20.
If you can give me a link for the pins on the HP P.S. module, D8520, rated at 349 W, which has 3 connectors with 14 pins each, and tell me which of the many black, brown, yellow, red, white and purple, turn on the P.S., that would be interesting. Too bad there is no green, and there at least 3 of each color. I've decided to use a large ATX supply, if the connections to the back plane can be found.
I do thank you for trying, and I wasn't aware the many more complicated configurations.
And please, anyone else reading my query, disregard my comment about the 4 red, black, and yellow wires for IDE connectors; that's another, adjacent cable. My mistake.
I wonder when the ATX 'standard' will really take effect. There are too many ATX power supplies with varying color schemes.