DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Secondary IDE channel

25 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/secondary-ide-channel.25333/

Gaurav
Gaurav Original post #1
Mar 12, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Each time I start my machine I get a message in the system tray saying "found new hardware Secondary IDE channel" and after this my CD writer is not listed in the my computer. when i checked device manager a red cross marker is displayed next to the secondary ide channel, I right clicked it selected "enable" and it worked. But i had to do the same each time I start my computer. :( HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

Using windows xp sp2, Pentium III 750 MHz, 256 MB RAM, ASUS 52x CD Writer (connected as secondary Master), Samsung DVD ROM
hafees
hafees #2
Mar 12, 2006 at 11:38 PM
which mother board do u have? did you installed the motherboard drivers?? most probably you didnt.
eddie
eddie #3
Mar 13, 2006 at 1:38 AM
Have you tried uninstalling the secondary channel? Right Click --> Uninstall --> Restart? After restart, it will detect the channel automatically and set all the drivers for you.
santu_29
Mar 14, 2006 at 12:05 AM
go to bios- check wether secondry ide is enabled n not disabled :lol:
eddie
eddie #5
Mar 14, 2006 at 2:37 AM
If you read the original post, you'll find that after enabling the channel from Device Manager, he is able to use the drive. If the channel was disabled from BIOS that would've been impossible.
Gaurav
Gaurav #6
Mar 18, 2006 at 9:42 AM
eddie said:
Have you tried uninstalling the secondary channel? Right Click --> Uninstall --> Restart? After restart, it will detect the channel automatically and set all the drivers for you.

I tried it but after the third or fourth restart the problem appeared again :cry: . One more thing after the device has been enabled (CD Writer), in my computer the CD Writer is shown as a normal CD Drive :evil: , earlier it used to show CD-RW drive, also it doesnot autoplay any CD (though Autoplay function is enabled for it).

Moreover the secondary IDE channel is enabled in the BIOS, I have checked it.

The problem has been appearing since I reinstalled windows XP. It used to disappear after reinstalling Intel Application Accelerator but this time it's not resolved.

HELLLLLP!!!:(:(:(:( :cry: :cry: :cry: :(
nishant_nms
Mar 18, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Flash ur BIOS with the latest version and also install the latest drivers(app. acc. too)
eddie
eddie #8
Mar 19, 2006 at 12:41 AM
In my search on google (which wasn't very fruitful), I have found a mention of mobo battery getting weak. You can try replacing it to see if it works. Also try changing IDE cables.
Gaurav
Gaurav #9
Mar 19, 2006 at 9:58 AM
I think I should no flash my BIOS because the make is too old (purchased it in year 2000) and i don't think there's an update available for my mobo, also don't want to take any risk regarding failure to my mobo.

Will replacing the ide cables solve the problem?
M
mvishnu #10
Mar 19, 2006 at 11:22 AM
i wanted 2 ask..

did u install any starforce protected game or NFS MW?

the pirated version of nfs mw sometimes needs u to disable 2ndry ide cntrlr...
Gaurav
Gaurav #11
Mar 19, 2006 at 10:46 PM
mvishnu said:
i wanted 2 ask..

did u install any starforce protected game or NFS MW?

the pirated version of nfs mw sometimes needs u to disable 2ndry ide cntrlr...

my brother, there's no point of installing such high end games on a 810e based machine(they will not run at all). and what's the reason of disabling a controller (they don't run if you have a virtual drive installed like virutal clone drive or alcohol etc..)

please help, the problem is driving me nuts...... :evil: :evil: :evil: :twisted: :cry:
M
mvishnu #12
Mar 19, 2006 at 11:29 PM
Gaurav said:
my brother, there's no point of installing such high end games on a 810e based machine(they will not run at all). and what's the reason of disabling a controller (they don't run if you have a virtual drive installed like virutal clone drive or alcohol etc..)

please help, the problem is driving me nuts...... :evil: :evil: :evil: :twisted: :cry:

oh! i didnt know you had an 82810e.

by the way, the game will look at the virtual cd, and think it is the real cd if it finds no "real" drives I think that's why the cracker told me to disable 2ndry ide cntrlr..

BBTW, y dont u try a sys. restore to a date earlier than the beginning of this problem?

I am sorry, but i can think of no other ans,
V
Mar 20, 2006 at 1:53 AM
I too had faced similar problem but not the same. I had followed the following procedure. U too can follow it. I think the registry handles are corrupted...

Open device manager and uninstall ur cdwriter (if it is listed)
Then open the line called "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" and uninstall all "secondary IDE channels".
Then restart ur comp and see if it works...

Even then the problem comes then restart ur comp by disconnecting the power cable of cdwriter and remove all "secondary IDE channels".

Atlast even if ur problem is not solved then there might be a problem with the power supply cable from smps to the cdrw... Try changing it with other cables...

Also try to configure ur cdwriter as primary master one time as there might a problem with the secondary ide channel.....

Even if ur problem is not solved then chances r that ur cdwriter is defective.
Gaurav
Gaurav #14
Mar 26, 2006 at 11:24 AM
varungupta17 I think u'r right bcos I tried updating the firmware of my CD-Writer 5 months back and it failed(got repaired, it was in warranty).
The problem might be with the CD-RW drive, but earlier it used to display CD-RW against the drive letter.
Hellllppppp..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(:(
casanova
casanova #15
Mar 26, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Try connecting ur writer as a secondary slave or primary slave.

varungupta17 said:
Also try to configure ur cdwriter as primary master one time as there might a problem with the secondary ide channel....
I hope u were trying to say primary slave
V
Mar 29, 2006 at 12:45 AM
Hi if u are tired of all this fuss then let me give u a dirty but good idea... :eek:
FORMAT UR COMPUTER AND REINSTALL UR WINDOWS.
This will solve all of ur problems.. THIS IS A TRIED AND TESTED METHOD and will never fail.. And finally if then if problem persists then it is a problem with ur CDRW and not with ur windows.....
Gaurav
Gaurav #17
Mar 30, 2006 at 10:36 PM
FORMATTING the whole drive... :shock: :shock: :shock: :roll: ......

I think i should not fiddle with this problem now, (getting insane but working replies) ;););) :D

thanks all of you for your valueable advice.......
Tushar.bar
Mar 31, 2006 at 6:11 AM
change cable
A
Ashootosh #19
Mar 31, 2006 at 3:34 PM
Changing the cable may solve the problem
nishant_nms
Mar 31, 2006 at 4:02 PM
Tushar.bar said:
change cable

It may help U shold definetly try it. It will cost u abot 20 rs.
::vicky::
::vicky:: #21
Mar 31, 2006 at 7:23 PM
either the cable is loose or the pin of ur hd is broken or cable is dead the problem is only one of these sure
Gaurav
Gaurav #22
Mar 31, 2006 at 9:25 PM
But the writer is writting the CD perfectly fine. But it just never autoplays a CD and is displayed in my computer as CD-Drive
Gaurav
Gaurav #23
Apr 3, 2006 at 11:20 AM
tried changing the cables, and it did'nt help.

I think my writer is faulty.
nishant_nms
Apr 6, 2006 at 6:32 AM
Gaurav said:
tried changing the cables, and it did'nt help.

I think my writer is faulty.

Have u trie any other drive on ur PC.
Gaurav
Gaurav #25
Apr 6, 2006 at 9:13 PM
no