I recently obtained a used internal DVD writer that I attempted to install myself as I was told it was quite simple to install. I opened the case and plugged in the "open slot" on my secondary IDE cable as well as the power to this DVD writer. It didn't seem to work. So next I unplugged my existing (and 100% functioning) CD writer and installed the DVD writer in its place. It still didn't seem to work. Thinking the DVD writer itself might have problems I attempted to just reinstall the pre-existing CD writer essentially putting it back the way it was prior to my attempting to install the DVD writer. Now the CD writer doesn't work either. When I boot up the computer it gives a message about "Secondary hard drive not detected" or something like that and when I go into setup it lists what should be the CD writer as "Unknown Device" instead. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks. Roger

Sounds to me like you've got the IDE ribbon cable the wrong way round. Ensure that the red stripe is pointed towards the power connector. Also, if you removed the cable from the motherboard, check that you've got the red stripe aligned with the 'pin 1' marker on the board.

If the cable seems OK, try going back into Setup ("the BIOS") and set the drive type for secondary master and secondary slave to Auto. If that doesn't find it, then reboot, go back into Setup and set it to CDROM.

Let us know if that helps

Did you move the jumpers ? I am having a similar problem.. The DVD said to make it the Master and the Old CD slave. I haven't changed the jumper yet. Has anyone done this and does it work?

Depending on the DVD's jumper setting (when you took possession of the drive, and if you haven't moved it), and the IDE data cables which you have, and your other IDE devices jumper settings, there's several possibilities.

Read this; Single, Master and Slave Drives and Jumpering, then check out your cables/drive jumpers.

NOTE: If your data cables are 40 pin/40 conductor, CS drive jumper settings and the drive_placement_on_the_cable will not work. The cables must be 40 pin/80 conductor. (Attached Pic)

The DVD said to make it the Master and the Old CD slave. I haven't changed the jumper yet. Has anyone done this and does it work?

Some optical devices (DVD's & CD-RW (Burners), (usually older models)) like to be set as the Master on an IDE channel. It's inherent in their design/logics.

If the DVD manufacturer suggests it should be set as the *Master device then do so.

*Either through CS (Cable Select) jumper settings and corresponding physical placement on the 80 conductor cable,

or,

Master/Slave jumpers combinations on/with other devices on the same cable.

Thanks Dan. Article helped allot. Turns out on the Dell you have to use the cable select, and DVD drive had to be use the Master device 0 on the cable and old CD device 1.
Setting the jumpers for Master and Slave on the drives did not work.

thanks again!