Windows 7: Can't get CD to operate as slave

Hi All
I have been using the same mb and cd with winxp pro for a long time. I did get Windows 7 installed on a maxtor drive but the volume is too small. I have another drive that needs to be formatted. The problem is this---I can't get the Sony DRU510A OR the Plextor PX-712 to be recognized by the BIOS. both drives are set on CSEL, although I have tried both as slave with no positive results. I have tried "blanking" the BIOS, but with the same result. I also have tried different cables as well. For some reason, I seem to think that it is something simple, but I just cant seem to put my finger on it. There are several "pecularities" with Windows 7---maybe this is one of them. Thanks as always



bill in las cruces

windows 7 will certainly not affect your bios (although some cracktivators might...)

we could also do with some more info to help you better - please be more specific with your motherboard details, for example.

also the sony and plextor drives you mention, these are the problem cd drives? or are they dvd? i assume they are ide? on the same cable?

Hi
Thanks for the reply.
Both these drives are IDE and both are DVD/CD. The mb I am using is a Biostar TF-520 with only one IDE slot. I have two GB of memory and an Athlon 64x2 4800+ 2.50 GHThe IDE drives are Western Digital and Maxtor. I cannot even boot the system if I try and plug in the CD/DVD drive----if I do not plug in the CD/DVD then the IDE hard drive will boot. The BIOS is the most recent version. The MB has four (4) SATA drives, but I have no drives that are SATA. What more information would be helpful?
Thanks
bill in las cruces

if you only have one ide slot, you can only use 2 drives, i believe.

make the hard drive the master, with the dvd as slave. check your ide cable is not inserted upside down, either on the motherboard or drive(s) - try it one way, if it don't work, try it the other.

time to invest in some sata drives! they are better in lots of ways...

(500th post!)

Well, the cables are inserted correctly----red stripe next to pin 1 in both cases. They won't fit any other way as there is a raised portion on the plug that only fits one way on the socket. You are correct that you can only use two IDE drives with this board. Can't afford any changes in hardware at this time.

ok - sorry i can't help further.

maybe another forum member will be along soon to assist.

good luck!

ok make absolutely sure u have set the jumpers the correct way round and that the hdd is master, same with the optical drive be absolutely sure the the jumper is set to slave. now on the ide ribbon make sure the hdd is on the end of it with the optical drive in the middle, the longer end of the ribbon is should be coming off the mainboard.

one more thing, make sure both drives are piggy-backing off the psu plug u will know the optical drive is physically working if the open/close mechanism works.