This is not Linux specific. Just hardware.

Is this SATA cable vendor specific or generic?

The only identifier is WD, which probably means Western Digital.

I'd like to know the proper name for ordering.

The important part is the highlighted "plug" that fits into the hard drive. The plug is nice to prevent cable movement if the SATA connector on the HD is cracked or loose.

Thanks.

I believe this is the cable but can not find anyone that has it in stock.

https://www.amazon.com/WDBABE0000NNC...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Thank you! At least now I have a part number. I too can't find the cables anywhere.

I did not know but the cable is rated at SATA II (3 Gbps).

I found one review and got the feeling the cable is good only for WD drives.

upnort,

You may be lucky and find some old stock somewhere.

It would be simpler to fit a standard SATA 2.0 cable such as this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Serial-Sata.../dp/B002UUSX5C

Cable movement should not be a problem.

I doubt you need it. From BH website.

"This 1.6' (.5 m) SATA with SecureConnect Cable by Western Digital is designed to connect hard drives and SATA ports. Use this advanced cable with a Western Digital Serial ATA hard drive or other drives with the SecureConnect feature.

The Secure Connect advantage strengthens the drive to cable connection by more than 500 percent. In addition, this cable is able to resist up to twenty-two pounds of pressure compared the SATA standard of four pounds. This cable is compatible with conventional system-side SATA connectors and backplanes."

An idea that wasn't needed it seems.

Can contact WD support. They might have one if you really want one.

I only wanted to know if the cable is vendor specific and that looks to be the case. I don't have a bunch of non WD drives here but only my WD disks have the square plug design to use that cable.

I have one WD disk that has a slightly cracked SATA connector -- the plastic "L" shaped guide and not the contacts. This cable avoids any stress on the connector. Quite nice.

I already have one such cable -- would be tough to share a photograph otherwise. The disk had been sitting on the shelf for a few years and I could not remember where I obtained the cable. When I looked online for that type of cable I found nothing.

I've been using SATA data cables from a variety of sources---motherboards often include 1 or 2, disk drives as well, etc. Electrically, I think they're all the same. I've had no problems mixing and matching cables. The only issue I've ever had is that sometimes innards of a particular system case demands using a cable with a 90-degree connector as a "straight" connector just won't fit into a cramped space.

If I run out, I just order them from Fry's or Micro Center, not from the vendor. Been working for me. YMMV.

What I avoid like the plague nowadays are the generic SATA power connectors/adapters that connect to the old 4-pin Molex power connectors. I had one short out and melt, destroying the disk drive it was powering (fortunately, it was a member of a RAID1 set). I've replaced some power supplies with the modular power outputs where you can plug in whatever style power connectors you need. If you run out of a particular type I would likely need to order those from the PS manufacturer. (Haven't had to yet, though.)

HTH...