Weird startup problem (won't see disk drives)

[AMD T-type]

I just built a brand new computer for my sister for college.
I installed windows, SP1, all updates and drivers for everything and all was going well.

However when i restarted it last night, it booted into windows just fine, but when i go to my computer it just sits there searching for drives for like 5 minutes.
If I wait 5 mins after the computer gets into windows it's fine, but in the meanwhile i can't access any disk drives.
Not a huge problem but a major annoyance none the less.

I checked and rechecked all cables and jumpers and the problem still persists.
Also tried reinstalling chipsets and most other drivers but still nothing.

any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Specs:
AMD Athlon 2500+ Barton
Shuttle MN31L nForce2 IGP
1 x 512MB ADATA DDR400
Western Digital 80GB WD800JB
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
Windows XP Home Edition

 

[D3v1an7]

If that WD hard drive is the only thing on that IDE channel, it shouldn't have a jumper on it.

Are the drives running in PIO or DMA mode?

Is the computer trying to connect to network drives that are unavailable?

Is the hard drive going bad? Run a thorough scandisk or a WD disk utility to check it out.

Good luck

 

[AMD T-type]

I took the jumper off as soon as i removed it from the anti-static bag

They are in DMA mode

There are no network drives on my network

I would hope it's not going bad, just opened it yesterday and WD utility says the drive is fine

 

[D3v1an7]

Try disconnecting the optical drives and see if the problem is still there.

 

[AMD T-type]

I thought that too but i have to wait till i get out of work

I shall inform of my findings around 6pm EST

 

[AMD T-type]

shitty cable

prob solved

 

[Stiletto One]

shitty cable

prob solved

Damn. I know how that is, drives you nuts troubleshooting. How did you think to swap the cable?

 

[BlindedByScience]

shitty cable

prob solved

...cables and connectors, so much of the time. Good find....

Cheers - B.B.S.