[matto5]

I just recently built my own PC
I know it works becuase I am writing this on it now

Everything works fine when I use the hard drive that im using at the moment but when I plug the "broken" hard drive in (even as a slave) my computer will not get further than the very first motherbaord screen (not sure what its called)

The "broken" hard drive used to allow me to read the data on it when it was the slave

I can't think of a time when it could have broken (considering it worked fine last night)

Any ideas as to whats wrong?

p.s. The hard drive is identical to the one i am using at the moment (80gb IDE)

[Mike0001]

I assume you have jumpered it as slave rather than rely on cable select?

Don't know what to suggest except the drive may be expired. If you have access to a USB enclosure you may be able to access it that way.

[matto5]

No I think I just relied on cable select. How would I jumper it?

And what is a USB enclosure?

[Mike0001]

There is usually a little diagram with squares and you need to add/remove tiny connectors between 2 pins. If they are already incorrectly jumpered as master/slave you will have problems.

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/id...mpering-c.html

A USB enclosure is just a case into which you can slot a HDD. Very useful, and about £10-20 to buy.

http://www.storagedepot.co.uk/

(Just an example.)