nForce2 Cd rom problems

[rpertusio]

If you see the problem when you attach the DVD-ROM.. hrm...

Check the jumpers on the DVD-ROM, and make sure it is set to 'master'.

Also, you could try making the DVD-ROM as the slave, and CD drive as master, and see if that 'fixes' anything (or reveals anything new).

A third thing you can look at, is the DMA or PIO settings for your drive. I am not sure exactly where your settings are, but, on my machine, you can find them here:

(1) Go to Device Manager, and expand "IDE/ATAPI controllers"
(2) Double-click the "Secondary IDE Channel"
(3) On the "Advanced Settings" tab, check if DMA is enabled.

On the 'Device 1' (Secondary Slave): If it is set to "PIO Only", then change it to "DMA if available". (Similarly, you could also try setting it to "PIO Only" if it is on DMA already)

- rp

[GorillaPC]

I just resolved the same problem. I went through the whole range of solutions too.

Occasionally it would work for awhile, but no way to install software. I would get read errors.

THis is on a Shuttle MN31n ... very similar boards, same chipset.

After trying everything, I rebuilt the PC in another case. After that everything works great and for some reason the PC is faster and more responsive as well.

I think it was either a grounding issue or a power supply issue.

Remove the motherboard from the case completely and hook everything up, I'll bet the CD drives will work fine then.

If they do, it has something to do with the case/powersupply or possible wiring/grounding faults present in the PC build.

[JohnnyNapalm]

if this is the case, this is disheartening news indeed. I'm afraid i'm not willing to change cases, as i've put about 150 dollars worth of work into this one...i suppose i could put more motherboard mounts in it in an attempt to ground it further...what about the 4 pin power connector...i've never had to use it before this mobo, could IT be the cause of my problem, odd as that sounds?

[GorillaPC]

I doubt the four pin connector is the issue. Test the case theory by removing the board from the case and try the CD channel.

I was stummped for several months over this and was going to RMA the mobo.

But the case change did it for my PC. It is still odd.

[dafanman]

JohnnyNapalm
On a different note, If you board has the 12v 4 pin power connector and your power supply has one, for goodnes sake connect it

In case you are not aware, there are reported incidents of users who failed to plug in their 12v 4 pin power which led to their atx connector being overtaxed and burning up.

[JohnnyNapalm]

ok, what else could i do to ground my board if i find that grounding is indeed the issue here? and why would having both drives plugged in as opposed to just one lead to a grounding issue? thanks for all the help, i'm just really frustrated right now.

[JohnnyNapalm]

after reading a bunch of posts on nForce specific forums, this seems to be a common IDE problem...which is unfortunate, given the good preformance otherwise for this chipset.

[GorillaPC]

On this particular board, you will get a no-post situation if the 12V four-pin connector isn't connected.

CD drives can hit your power supply hard as they try to spin up. What kind of power supply is it?

I have built over 50 PCs on this chipset, and only saw this problem on one ... mine of course.

THe "grounding issue" can be a little harder to find. It might be in the form of a pinched wire somewhere in the case. I saw a pinched wire cause the cd drive door to open every time a run command went to the CD. As soon as the grounded "pinched" wire was isolated, the problem was gone.

[JohnnyNapalm]

i posted just fine and boot into windows with the 12v off...my power supply is a 450 Watt Allied from newegg.

[GorillaPC]

that board need the 12V 4-pin plugged in. Have you tried it with that connector pluged in?