SATA-IDE CONVERTER

P.S this is a second HDD, I already have a SATA HDD in the system that works fine

These kind of things happens to HDD converters. Pay attention to the LED on the converter's PCB, make sure it's lit. Make sure to place the IDE connection is correct, since you might slip a pin width. Also make sure the SATA connection is firm, a loose one will give you faulty readings. If all of the above doesn't work, try a new converter. It might be the converter that's faulty.

BTW, are you sure the MB only supports SATA? I'm pretty sure IDE sockets is always included in a standard MB. Why don't you upload some pictures about your issue, we'll see what we can do to help.

Good luck!

try something like this (works for my ide dvd drive)

http://www.frys.com/product/5473209?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN...

@damasvara: a lot of mobos these days are coming out with no ide/pata compatibility (as it is a dead tech)

the LED light comes on and I have checked all the wires, must be a fauly unit. Just wanted to make sure there wasnt something else that I had to do once I had fitted it

thanks

You must mean the high class ones, since the standard cheap ones, like my Biostar 790GX still have IDE sockets for IDE HDD or OD. Or maybe I haven't seen the latest ones yet...

I guess the IDE meets the same fate as AGP slots. Well, dead tech or not, people are actually still using it....