DeepPurplex

Hello,

I have come across a IDE controller problem after trying to install a new CD-Rom. First off let me explain what a did. I had 2 Cd-roms attached originally, on the same ribbon cable. I took out the bottom cdrom, which was a cdrw by the way, and put in another one from another computer. All the plugs are all set, so that is not the problem. Now when I booted up with the new cdrom in I didnt get the "Found new hardware" message I was hoping to. Instead I was told my IDE Controller had stopped working. Now by not working I mean that the PRIMARY one is listed as working (AMD 756 Bus master duel IDE controller is the model) however below it it says there are two that arent working (Primary IDE Controller (fifo) and Secondary IDE Contrller(fifo) are what they are listed as.)

I have no idea how the IDE controllers came into play, and I dont know why it is affecting my CDroms. Neither of the two cdroms I have plugged in showup on My Computer, and they dont auto-run anything either, there isnt even a cdrom tab under device manager.

Anyone know how I might fix this?
Oh, and I only have a recovery disc for my computer, and I dont know what model motherboard, but I could find out if neccessary.

Thanks alot,
A.C

Tumbleweed36

Hi,

We need to start very simple. First of all, why not review the settings for the drive. Here is what you need to check:

IDE #2......Example #1

Drive:..................New CDRom..........................Old CDRom
Ribbon Cable........Center of cable......................End of Cable
Jumpers...............Slave....................................Master

IDE #2......Example #2

Drive:..................New CDRom..........................Old CDRom
Ribbon Cable........Center of cable......................End of Cable
Jumpers...............Cable Select..........................Cable Select

What happens so much is that one simply changes a drive and not the jumpers. Most, if not all CDRom drives come from the factory as Cable Select, and we put them in a master or slave position and they do not match the other drive on that IDE Port or Ribbon Cable. In simple terms, you must check the jumpers on both drives when you add one new drive.

Otherwise, if one is CS with the jumpers, the other must be CS on the jumpers. If one is set to master with the jumpers, the other one on that ribbon cable must be set to slave.

Also, make sure the BIOS setup menu has the drive option set to AUTO.

Let us know if you have rechecked and finished the above.

DeepPurplex

Thanks alot for the input Tumbleweed first off.

I dont really understand what your saying unfortuanetly though. =(
I am not quite sure which cable is the jumper, is it the power?
If it is the power, there are two plugs coming off the main wire, does it matter which is first and second?

Also I am not quite sure how to set the cdroms to master/slave, or whatever the other setting was.

So, if you could explain a little more about the jumpers, and the cdrom settings that would be great. Thanks for the help thus far.

oldmn

The jumper is not a cable ,The jumper is a small plastic piece in side a small rectangleular box with 6 - 8 pins, the jumper will be on a pair of these pins. between the 4 pin power and 40 pin Ide cable . On top of the drive ther will be adiiagram of thes pins and a legand MA= Matser, SL= Slave CS cable select. to change you pull the jumper and move it to the indicated location for you selection

kodi

This image is a hardrive but an optical drive is the same setup, there may be a variation of the positions of the master/slave/cable select
JUMPER SETTINGS

Tumbleweed36

Hi,

Great job Oldmn and Kodi. This should help a lot.

To make things simple DeepPurplex, just look at the drive that is already on there and see if it is set to master or Cable Select. When you find out, then go to your new drive and set it correctly. ie: if it is set to CS, then set your new one to CS (although it probably already is), and if it is set to master, set your new one to slave. REmember, the master setting goes on the end of the ribbon cable and the slave in the middle, and the ribbon cable is the wide one with many wires and not the little 4 wire power supply cable that comes from the power supply.

Addendum: Normally, master and slave settings are more reliable than Cable Select settings on some computers. Therefore, if you can get it done, this is what I would recommend you try.

Please post back if you have questions. Nothing is too simple or too complex to ask from this team we have on the forum because they are all helpful.

DeepPurplex

You guys are great. Fixed!

Thanks alot for all your help, I even learned something.
The IDE controller recognizes itself now, as do the Cd-roms, and they both work great.

Thanks again!
A.C

oldmn

Thanks for letting use know.

Tumbleweed36

Hi,

So glad you got it going. By the way, so we can help someone else with this problem, what solution worked for you. I mean, why did it act the way it did. That way Oldmn, Kodi, and I will know how to approach another one that might act like yours. Oh, don't be a stranger, this is a pretty nice place to hang around. See you around the forum.