This is a new computer being built. The specs are: MB: ECS k7vta3 CPU: AMD Duron 1.6 HD: WD 80GB CDRW: Lite-On 52x32x52x RAM: Crucial 256mb DDR 2700 PSU: PowMax 400w When I boot up, the hard drive is not spinning and is not detected. It just hangs on, "detecting ide drives." But, when I pull out the IDE cable it starts spinning. The hard drive works, as I have tested in another PC. I can't figure out if its the IDE channels on the mobo, power supply, or another problem. If anyone has any suggestions it would be great. Thanks, Dave

Try switching IDE channel 1 with channel 2. I had an Intel board with that problem before where it simply would not detect a hard drive on channel 1 but worked fine on channel 2. Jimi_l

If that is your only drive, you will have to go to the WD website and set it up as they outline. If you have a single drive, you cannot set it as master on the primary channel. I had the same problem - wasn't detected when configured as primary master but it was when switched to the secondary channel. Changed my settings on the drive and it worked.

Thanks for the responses, I tried what you guys said and I'm still having problems. Was your hard drive booting up before you fixed it? Mine isn't booting up, it only starts spinning when I pull out the IDE cable, while the power is on. Did you guys have this same problem? I'm desperately looking for a solution. I bought two exact same computers and they both are like this. Hoping this problem is fixable, and not have to return everything. Thanks again, Dave

You really shouldn't pull cables while under power. If the IDE isn't FUBARed yet, that may do it. Sounds like a short. Try a different ribbon cable.

As WD drive had been mentioned. They have a special "spare" or "only drive" setting to use when there is no slave present. If it's jumpered to master without a slave present it's normally not detected by the bios which may cause the problem!

Thanks for the replies. I've tried what everyone said, and the problem is still there. The hard drive still works in another PC. I've come to the conclusion that it's a bad IDE connection, as it only boots when there's no IDE cable connected to the HD. I've tried many different cables, so it has to be the IDE connectors on the mobo. I've read that other people had the same problems, and they bought a PCI to IDE adapter. Do you suggest this? Or return the mobo? Any other suggestions would be great.