What is this connector for on my Asus N81VP laptop ?

[singh0918]

Can someone tell me what is this connector for on my Asus N81VP laptop? It does not look like mpci or msata. Thanks.

See attached pic or Link : Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

 

[Layback Bear]

Please use this tutorial by Brink to post screen shots.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Looks like a very old ata ide hdd cable hookup :/

 

[Mellon Head]

There is an optional TV tuner for that model. Maybe that's the connector for it.

It's definitely not a PATA cable connector. It's a sub-D connector of some sort.

 

[Berton]

Is there a matching hole in the plastic of the case? If so it could be for some type of docking device where the computer works with external devices by simply putting it in the dock.

 

[singh0918]

No, there are no matching holes on the cover. Also the optional TV tuner is mini pci, so its not for the optional TV tuner. There are 40 pins on this connector, 20 on each side. I have tried looking in the manual as well.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Perhaps it is for diagnostics. Some older Dell laptops have that same connector.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep the cable I posted has 40 or so holes

 

[pjmarkert]

That is an old ide cable for a desktop and 2 drives, not for a laptop

 

[UsernameIssues]

That is an old ide cable for a desktop and 2 drives, not for a laptop

Correct. But that does not limit the manufacturer of the motherboard from using that cable to test the motherboard during pre or post assembly diagnostics.

What does limit the cable shown in post #3 is the fact that it will not mate with the connector shown in post #1 (unless an adapter is used).

The IDE cable shown in post #3 mates with male pins. The connector shown in post #1 has tines, not pins and as such, requires either an edge connector with tines (like printer cable shown on the right in the image below)....

...or a PCB edge connector.