hi there,
im a first time builder and everything has gone smoothly until now. i have tried to install the DVD RW drive, and though it works fine off of the power supply and opens and closes as normal, if i plug in the IDE cable, the power supply is cut off to the DVD RW. i have tried the drive with the jumpers set to master and slave. i have switched the IDE cable with another. but i am having no luck at all. i havent got the processor installed yet but im sure this cant be the problem. please help. regards
gary carter

Why are you powering up the system without all essential components installed? This isn't the way a system is normally constructed. CPU, memory, keyboard, and video are considered essential components for proper operation.

"i havent got the processor installed yet but im sure this cant be the problem."

How have you determined/made sure that no processor installed isn't the cause?

fair enough. ive now installed the processor and all necessary components. and alas, same problem, nothing has changed.

Sorry I've been absent somewhat. Lot's on the go. (I'm kind of surprised no one else has jumped in here.)

OK, all components installed, you've verified drive jumper settings.

Are both IDE channels engaged in the bios?

Do hard disks work in the IDE channel where the DVD RW currently is?
(ie; Substitute a hard disk, Master/Slave in it's place.)

What is the Make/Model # of your motherboard? This will get the hardware info. The report wizard can be used to save the results to a text or html based document. (Html preferred - Active site links for drivers, info, etc.)