Lobster wrote:
snip
This reminds me - is it possible to obtain what would esssentially be
an *extension* IDE cable (ie one with a 'socket' on one end rather
than the usual plug)?

That's the wrong way to do it, as others have mentioned.
http://www.ebuyer.com/ (other vendors of computer equipment are available)
have a USB2 - IDE connector.
Comes with a little "brick" power supply that you plug into any 5.25" or
3.5" device (CD/HDD/...), plug in to disk or whatever, and then plug
into USB2 port (slower on 1.1, but works)