Ubuntu not booting past GRUB loader with 2nd HDD connected

[foo]

Hi Guys,

I've been running Ubuntu at home for a few months now dual booted with Win 7 with no problems. I have recently purchased a 2nd HDD to store all my files on, this is connected to the 2nd SATA port on my mobo.

Now for the problem -

The machine boots to the GRUB loader no problem and from here, I can boot into Win 7 and use the drive as normal. However, if I select Ubuntu, the screen goes black with a flashing cursor (as it normally does just before the HDD kicks in and loads the OS), but there it stays with no HDD activity. The only way to get out of this is to do a hard reset of the box. If I select the recovery mode for my Ubuntu installation it rolls through all of the text until it gets to the part where it mentions both HDDs connected and then stops.

GRUB loader version - 'GNU GRUB version 1.98+20100804-5ubuntu3' (this is whatever Ubuntu 10.10 put on, I have not 'tweaked' the loader.

If I disconnect the 2nd HDD the machine boots perfectly into Ubuntu and Win 7.

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

Mike

 

[foo]

Yep, tried the boot device order, in fact changed it so as there is only 1 device in the boot order chain - being the drive which has both OS on it. I'm sort of convinced it is something to do the GRUB loader (sadly, this is not based on any strong knowledge of Linux) as if it was a BIOS setting, I don't think it would even get to the loader screen. Correct, the drive is only used for storage of files.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[foo]

I'm pretty certain the OS drive is connected to port 1 (I will double check this when I get home this evening). I did format the drive in Windows.

 

[foo]

Bit of a 'Doh!' moment chaps. Having disconnected and reconnected everything and rooting through GRUB and the BIOS I realised that when I hooked up the second HDD to my mobo, I stole the power connector from the back of my DVD drive but left the IDE cable connected into it. Once I removed the IDE cable from the out of action DVD drive the box booted like a dream. You live and learn, eh? Thanks again for everyone's suggestions and help!

Cheers,

Mike