I just got a used computer, that used to be a network server. I had Windows 2000 Pro just installed 2 days ago on a brand new hard drive. I tried to hook a hard drive, CDROM Drive, and another hard drive but the second IDE chanel is not working. I checked all setting in BIOS, and everything is correct. I checked the cables and it wasnt it. I am figuring that it just died out. So, I added the CDROM on the Primary IDE channel on slave. Now when I put in a CD in the CDROM drive, it dramatically takes a toll on my hard drive, and it takes a few minutes to actually load a CD when it should just start instantly. When there isnt a cd in, it's as fast as could be. In a weekor so, I am going to purchase a PCI IDE controller. But until then, is there any settings I can change so that the CD-ROm DRive wont do this to my hard drive? I have 36x CDROM drive. And a 6 GB HD...

Check the connector for the secondary IDE on the mobo. Possible one of the pins is bent. Sometimes one is missing, but that is correct as some interface cable are missing the hole for that pin. This is to make sure the cable is plugged in the correct way around. Generally connecting incorrectly results in a bent pin that then cuses the device not to be seen. Test with a known good ide interface cable. Sometimes the port(s) have to be enabled in the bios, and sometimes in more than one place in the bios. good luck - keep us posted.