IDE Channel Not Detecting Hardware

[jamdark]

Hello, I figure I could use a few more thoughts on this subject...

I just recently bought a new PC Tower and transfered all my components
successfully (or so I thought). The only problem is that now my Pri IDE
Channel cannot see my DVD and DVD-Burner. It doesn't detect them in the
BIOS.

My Hard Drive is on my Sec IDE Channel, and in a attempt to fix the
problem I switched the two, and my BIOS was now seeing the DVD
Readers...but not the Hard Drive. I went back into Windows XP, and I
pretty much did everything on the Microsoft Website (it couldn't I
guess) such as Uninstalling and Redetecing the Channels, but I still
got nothing.

So my question is this: Is there anything I can do so my Pri IDE
Channel can find the DVD Readers, or is it that I'll have to find a new
Motherboard?

As a follow up, does it matter if the HDD is on the Pri or Sec IDE
Channel?

 

[Fitz]

If the BIOS is not detecting the DVD drive, and then not detecting the hard
drive when you switch them, the problem isn't Windows. I would try changing
the IDE cable used to connect the hardware to the motherboard, clear the
CMOS and restart. When you clear the CMOS, either by jumper or removing the
BIOS battery, make sure you disconnect the power (disconnecting the 20/24
pin ATX connector would be good) and let it sit for 10 minutes or so before
resetting the jumper or replacing the battery.

Good Luck,
Fitz

 

[Fitz]

I have no idea how I screwed up and put all that in the Subj line...sorry

Fitz

 

[Anna]

Hello, I figure I could use a few more thoughts on this subject...

I just recently bought a new PC Tower and transfered all my components
successfully (or so I thought). The only problem is that now my Pri IDE
Channel cannot see my DVD and DVD-Burner. It doesn't detect them in the
BIOS.

My Hard Drive is on my Sec IDE Channel, and in a attempt to fix the
problem I switched the two, and my BIOS was now seeing the DVD
Readers...but not the Hard Drive. I went back into Windows XP, and I
pretty much did everything on the Microsoft Website (it couldn't I
guess) such as Uninstalling and Redetecing the Channels, but I still
got nothing.

So my question is this: Is there anything I can do so my Pri IDE
Channel can find the DVD Readers, or is it that I'll have to find a new
Motherboard?

As a follow up, does it matter if the HDD is on the Pri or Sec IDE
Channel?

jamdark:
I'm assuming I correctly understand you in that *any* device connected to
that Primary IDE channel is not recognized by the system's BIOS and that
*any* device connected to your Secondary IDE channel *is* recognized by the
system.

Assuming you've correctly connected/configured whatever devices are
connected to your motherboard's Primary IDE channel and the devices + the
IDE cable are non-defective, and you have not disabled nor uninstalled that
channel in Control Panel or in your BIOS or through some third-party
utility, then it would appear that you have a defective IDE channel on your
hands.

Why did you originally connect your boot drive to your Secondary IDE
channel? While it is true that in virtually every case there's little
difference in whether that HD is connected to the Primary or Secondary
channel (there might be a couple of seconds additional bootup time or in
some rare cases, particularly with older motherboards, the system will fail
to boot from a HD connected on the secondary IDE channel), however, the
overwhelming majority of users will connect their boot drive as Primary
Master. I'm curious to know why you didn't do so.

Review your connections carefully as well as your BIOS elements. It's not
clear from your description whether this is a new machine under warranty or
you just purchased a case to install your components. If it is a new PC
still under warranty purchased from a local dealer you can do the obvious.
If purchased through a mail order vendor, then contact them to explain the
problem.
Anna

 

[Guest]

The "master" HDD and a "slave" optical drive on the primary IDE channel, with
the jumpers properly set, configured on the data cable in the right position,
should work fine.. The secondary channel setup the same way (HDD & DVD)
should also work and provide you with the ability to burn DVD's from the
source drive to the burner..
Most (factory) OEM configs put the HDD on the primary IDE channel jumpered
to (CS) computer select or (M) master, with an optical drive set to "master"
on the secondary IDE channel, may vary.. If you use the CS jumper setting,
use it for all your drives or use the "master/slave" jumper configs for each
IDE channel..
j;-j