@@Cyberdot: yeah, I have tried several cds and dvds now...

I have tried two different sata cables

I was basically just trying to bump the thread

I put the grey ribbon one in because the sata wasn't working... I didn't start with two.

@hansmacher: yeah im baffled also

Ok, had to install windows using usb because I couldnt get two different dvd drives read windows boot cds.. tried xp and 7.

Anyway, I can see both dvd drives in bios and in windows..... one is connected sata cable the other is using the old grey ribbon and is set as primary 1. I also tried switching sata ports with the harddrive. When in windows it says to insert disk when i double click on either dvd drive. Any ideas? one of the dvd drives was working fine in a different pc.