removing "press any key to continue"?

@proud: Could you export your System Information (msinfo32.exe) to a text file and post it here? You can strip out the WER info at the end of the report. When you post it, please wrap it in a code box so it doesn't overflow the thread
[code]
System Information
[/code]

Thanks

If SATA ports are set to emulate an IDE device, BIOS might report the SATA drive as Master on a non-physical IDE port
Your IDE drive should report as IDE0 Master, your optical should report IDE0 Slave, your SATA might report as IDE1 Master
Check that your IDE port is enabled and recheck your jumpers - "Master and Slave" or CS
Check your Boot order - 1) Optical 2) Sata - nothing else

On-Chip Secondary PCI IDE: allows you to enable or disable the secondary controller. You might disable the controller if you were to add a higher performance or specialized controller.

Enabled: Secondary HDD controller is used.
Disabled: Secondary HDD controller is NOT not used.

Enabled is the default.

If you load the default BIOS settings then everything that is required is typically set correctly and there is no need to change anything to do the basics.

I would double check the jumpers and IDE cable like Slartybart suggested and also check the cable has not come loose from the board. If you have spare power connectors for the drives I would also suggest trying them in case the current ones you are using have been damaged and check they are also connected properly.

@Duzzy: I agree, the default BIOS settings should do the trick. I think PTBG tried that without success - I was simply offering an alternative to test. There seems to be a mismatch somewhere (no kidding!) and eliminating possibilities, one by one, is the best way I know of troubleshooting.

I'm wondering if the system thinks it needs drivers and is waiting for the media to be inserted. I'm fairly sure that Windows 7 doesn't need drivers unless RAID is configured. I'm looking at ways to either "complete" the wait for media or fool Windows. You can emulate IDE for SATA drives - that would fool Windows, but it also adds overhead and downgrades the SATA performance.

This is where I'm heading, any thoughts?

@proudtobegreek (PTBG): I strongly recommend that you bring your machine up-to-date if you haven't already done that. I suggest this because it looks to me, from your screen shots, that your running your system on a back-level BIOS.

Live Update at MSI should make it easy. It's a download zip file.
You could also just go to the support/download/BIOSpage and manage the updates yourself.

Live Update 5 is a powerful update tool with user-friendly interface, provides an automatic scan and download for your MSI products. Using this service to keep your system in the most updated environment.

Live Update 5 supports the following MSI product lines and items:
Mainboards: Drivers/BIOS/Utilities;
Graphics Cards: Drivers/BIOS

Thanks for being so patient, this is a sticky wicket!

@proudtobegreek (PTBG): Don't try the workaround outlined below just yet, there might be a better solution. This is only a PROPOSED workaround to try at a later time. I, or someone else, need to determine if it is simply a case of waiting for the media. If that is the case, preventing the request for media is the real solution. More research is needed.

BIOS might have different names/locations/options for the settings, so you might have to look around.

BIOS => Integrated Peripherals => SATA ports => Enabled
What mode are the SATA ports?

• IDE/PATA Emulation
• SATA (native)
• AHCI
• RAID

Note: SATA, AHCI and RAID modes might be listed as one option with sub options. Or your BIOS might only have IDE / RAID / DISABLE

Workaround: Set the mode to IDE/PATA Emulation
Windows no longer thinks it needs a driver.

Boot Priority: optical drive, System/Boot drive (your SATA)
no other boot devices should be listed at this time.
Save & Exit BIOS

@ptbg: You might also look at utility offerings at WD - download the ones you need and see what they can tell you. I'm going to leave it up to you to find utilities for your other devices including your system. I'm sure that other mfrs offer these things. The trick is to diagnose, ask questions, and apply recommendations one at a time, if it solves your problem, great, if not back off what was recommended. As you know, this is tedious work, you have to be meticulous in recording how it was before changes are made.

I'm not so good at remembering the changes that work, even if I put it in a file, or write it down. Short term, I'm fine - write it down, change it, test it, reset if it didn't work.........
it's the next time I need to apply it that causes me great consternation.

@ptbg: MSI Live Update 5 instructions