Optical drives and slave hard drive not detected

[wilo]

Unfortunately this hasn't worked either.

I did try buying a new IDE cable to double check your first suggestion but no luck.

I've checked to make sure the disk drive is set to slave, and have even tried connecting the disk drive and hard drive on the same IDE cable to the Primary IDE channel, all to no avail.

I have seen some referances on other threads to "Firmware". As a novice I don't know what this is. Can you enlighten me and might it help?

Kind Regards

wilo

[Train]

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/f/firmware.html

Software (programs or data) that has been written onto read-only memory (ROM). Firmware is a combination of software and hardware. ROMs, PROMs and EPROMs that have data or programs recorded on them are firmware

You need to post the exact make and model of that peice of equipment. Maybe someone can help you find a firmware update for it. Then again, if it is right out of the BOX and did not work, I'd RMA / return the broken thing and exchange it. Yes I have had new stuff not work right out of the box many a time.

[f117nighthawk]

What they likely meant is a BIOS flash. Firmware is something that's upgraded through a thing called a flash upgrade. You have to download the new firmware to a diskette, then boot up with the diskette in your A:\ drive. Then you follow the instructions.

You need to follow the instructions exactly and make sure your computer's on a good power supply, otherwise you'll end up with a dead mainboard.

[wilo]

Hi Guys

Sorry it's been a while. I've been researching BIOS flash.

I found the right one for me and have updated my BIOS, but no luck I'm afraid.

I'm starting to get a bit frustrated. Let me review what I've tried so far and see if there is anything glaringly obvious that I have missed.

1) Checked all cables and pins on IDE cables are in good working order even buying a new IDE cable.

2) Bought new DVD rom (I wanted to upgrade anyway).

3) Ensured DVD rom was slave to Hard drive.

4) Flashed BIOS

If nothing else, I'm learning a hell of a lot about my computer.

Kind Regards

Wilo

[f117nighthawk]

If after all that it's still failing I'd say your IDE channel is shot. It's time to get either a Promise card or a whole new mainboard.