Why do you think it's the IDE header problem? This only occurs relatively infrequently, and primarily on RIOCar players. The ONLY way that this can be diagnosed is by visual inspection with a magnifier. It cannot be done any other way. Have you dismantled the player and removed the drive sled to do this?

Don't assume that the IDE header is defective, unless you have one or more of the following risk factors:

- you have a RIOCar player (a Mk2a, for all intents and purposes)
- you have a two-disk installation
- you have opened the unit since purchase to modify the unit, and have removed the IDE cable

When I was doing support officially, the first step was a serial log, the second was send a replacement cable. If it still failed, it was brought in for inspection and repair (usually a CS4231A failure from cable plugging).

If you are worried about cost and turnaround for a repair, then a cable is the best first option. Both Stuart and I have these. Mine are original RIO replacements, Stuart's is a longer version of the cable.

I am currently working on having these originals modified, which should be available soon. This mod adds an extra connector 5mm upstream of the first connector, giving the correct distance between the board connector and the first hard disk. This allows the disk sled to move correctly inside the unit without stressing the IDE header on the main board.

I will be putting together another post on another mod to the drive sled to allow the sled to move more freely, to be done in conjunction with the use of a new cable.