IDE cd-rom and HDtoolbox

[MasterOfReality]

Check that either:
CDR is jumpered as SLave, with
HD as MAster
(If they're on the same cable)

or:

Both are set to MAster
(if they're on different cables).

Could also be a power supply problem - if you have another PSU around try connecting the CDR to that (on it's own).

[MasterOfReality]

Strange...

Do you have a proper IDE splitter and software? If you do, the new scsi.device in OS3.9 may be causing trouble.

Elbox (and some other) splitter software installs it's own scsi.device replacement which is made resident after a reset. OS3.9 also tries to make another version of scsi.device resident after a reset. This might explain why the problem is intermittent.

Change the Setpatch line(s) in your s:startup-sequence to read something like...

Setpatch QUIET SKIPROMMODULES scsi.device
(might be SKIPROMUPDATES actually, but should be right.)

[MasterOfReality]

OK...

Are you using a 2.5" HD? These often behave strangely when other devices are on the same bus.

How long is your IDE cable? Unbuffered interfaces can be more susceptible to problems with long cables.

Do you have a spare 3.5" HD around? Try hooking that up instead of the CDR to see if it's just a problem with the device - perhaps your IDE i/f is dodgy?