Each IDE channel has a master and a slave (two connectors). If you're using one cable for both devices then one needs to be a master and the other a slave. I would recommend using two channels (cables) and setting each to master or none (no jumper).

The CD drive does not have the little pins for the jumpers to be attached to. They are both on the same channel. Should I set it as slave?

A CD Drive master? if there is were jumper to set it would probably be slave, but as far as i know this is not necessary for a CD drive (i cannot remember ever setting jumpers for a CD drive or disk drive)

If you have 2 CD or DVD drives in the same IDE cable, one must be set to master.

it has been a while since i been inside a desktop computer

i can only remember having 2 floppy drives for quick copying long time ago but using 2 CD-drives?

You only use laptops then, or do you not have the need to look inside? You can have 2 cd drives, and copy data between them

You mean 1 CD/DVD-drive and CD/DVD writer or 2 CD/DVD writers

You cannot copy between 2 CD-drives as they can only read.

And yes i had a desktop but am using a Laptop, at work i often have to open my desktop to put in test cards

If all you want to do is retrieve data from the old drive, just disconnect the CD drive temporarily, connect the old drive to that cable, leaving the jumpers as they were.

Once you've retrieved the data, disconnect the old hard drive and reconnect the CD.

Oh, now it works, how very strange. I set it to slave and now I can copy my data off without a problem. Thanks as always, for all your help

I think we need to make things a bit clearer.

Most mainboards have two IDE connectors.

Each of which will support 2 drives, one plugged as master, the other as slave.

Total = 4 drives.

Just use the other IDE connector on the mainboard for your hard drive, leave the CD drive where it is.

it does not matter if the hard drive is connected as Master or slave, it will work with either.....only if you need to add a second drive to the same IDE port do you need to worry about master/slave....

Years ago, putting a CD and a hard disk on the same IDE port meant that the HD worked slowly, as I have not done this for years, I cannot say if this is still true. I would put Hard drives x 2 on one IDE port and CD/DVD drives x 2 on the other.....that works and is simple....

By the way, to put 2 drives on one port, you need an IDE cable with 2 connectors for drives (3 connectors on the cable). The later IDE ports need a better quality (80 wire?) cable, that is electrically better, to work at full speed.....

My motherboard only has 1 IDE channel; into which I have a cable with 2 connectors on, but it also has a floppy one, and 2 Sata ones.

Try it out with the HD as master, if it doesn't work, try it as slave. Naturally on the same cable/bus. One of those should work.....

Thanks, All is good :D

Hi Bondy,

Just connect the IDE drive to the end connector of the ribbon cable, that's all you need to do for what you want. Connect the other end to the mother board.

Connect the CD to the end connector and connect the other end of the ribbon cable to the location on MB for IDE HD.

You are done.