Help! PC crashing when DVD rom is connected

[megaforge]

System - (everything is running at stock speeds, not OC'd)
Case: Thermaltake Armor
PSU: Thermaltake 850 toughpower
MB: Evga 680i A1
CPU: Q6600
HSF: Zalaman 9700led
Ram: GSkill 4x2gb ddr2 800mhz cl4
GPU: EVGA 8800GTX
SC: X-FI Exrtreme Audio
HD1: WD Raptor 150gb (OS and Games)
HD2: WD 300gb (media)
Samsung DVD writer LINK!!!

Problem: Randomly when using my PC (mostly play games on it), it will crash. After a hard reboot, it will get stuck during post when searching for the DVD writer. If i power it down, unplug the sata cable from the back of the drive and boot, it runs fine.

I power it down, plug the sata cable back into the drive and boot it up, runs fine.

A few hours to a few days later it happens again. When it happens, the drive isnt being used or showing activity. When i leave the dvd drive unplugged, it never seems to happen.

The sata controller is integrated one on the MB. I also have both my HD hooked up to that too and never seem to have an issue - so i am guessing its a driver, OS, or hardware issue with the drive.

Any suggestions?

 

[corkyg]

Try a different optical drive and see if that also causes the crash. It may be the specific drive.

 

[megaforge]

Money is a bit tight at the moment so i was trying to figure it out without dropping more money.

Keep in mind, this drive installed a TON of games using both CD and DVD's. Im guessing its installed from roughly 30-40 cd/dvd's over the last 2 months.

But ya, i think it may just be this drive. I tried a new cable and it didnt seem to help. I tried plugging the sata connector to the 4rth (unused - 1 &2 use the HD's and 3 was set for DVD writer) slot and still the same.

 

[Crono]

You could try updating the firmware:
http://www.techspot.com/driver...ile/information/10410/

 

[megaforge]

didnt even think of firmware, thank you Crono.

Ive never done firmware on an optical drive before, but doesnt look very complicated.

Thanks agian, i will try that tonight.