Secrets of my success :
Plug USB into computer LAST.
Triple check HD is set to Master
(Slave and Cable Select don't work - WinXP will detect the adapter unit and make the usual connect (and shortly there after the disconnect) sound when USB is plugged into computer, but no HD appears)
(Boy, is that stupid - why should a single HD adapter unit care what the jumper selection is ?!)
Be very alert when connecting the 40 pin male adapter into the HD connector.
This male plastic adapter's size is notably smaller (51 mm?) than the HD's female (56 mm?).
This male does NOT have the typical solid dead / no pin zones, at either end.
It only, exactly, covers the 40 pins.
Thus, if butt against the right or left edge of the (larger (56 mm?)) female HD connector, they do mate without any noticeable force being required. But, the mating will be off. 2 pins of the HD connector can still be seen - not connected - this is bad.
Likewise, the key notch on this male adapter unit also seems a bit small in its thickness.
It does indicate the proper top / bottom orientation to insert into the female HD connector.
But, not being thicker, it doesn't prevent incorrect right / left alignment.
Rather, it easily slides under the HD connector just at the edge of the HD's female keyway.
In other words, it also fails to insure all pins get properly aligned / mated.
Basically, this 40 pin male adapter has to be centered manually / by eye into the HD's connector, rather than being able to rely on connector physical attributes to automatically assure proper mechanical alignment and thus electrical connections.