Does the master/slave option refer to the bios set up?

Your system uses the "Cable Select" device type addressing.  Do not use "Master" and/or "Slave".  That is usually the problem when devices are not recognized after an installation. 

Restrap the Drives to the Cable Select (may be labled "CS" or "CSEL" on the drives) and see if that corrects the problem. 

No, there is a physical "strap" (jumper) on the rear of the CD drives. The jumper is located just to the left of IDE Ribbon Cable.  Many new drives are shipped with the jumper in either the master or slave position and must be physically changed to the cable select.

I don't have a picture, which would be worth "a thousand words".

But to the left of the IDE Ribbing I/O cable connector is an area for the device type jumpers.  Generally there is a legend on the top of the drive noting what each jumper slot is for.  e.g. Master, Slave, Cable Select (May be labeled CS or CSEL) and may even be one for no strapping.  That is the area you should be looking at.  The original drive that came with the PC, if it hasn't been changed, will be strapped for Cable Select. 

 

I have taken both the dvd/rw drive and cd drive out and apart from the power cables and the ide strap there is no other physical straps attached. I can see the slots to the left though.  Any more suggestions would be gratefully accepted please.

I rely appreciate the help. I have looked again and can see the slots you mean. However there is no strapping connected to the original drive. I also have a 1.44 floppy drive would it be attached to this?

To futher help I hope ..........

Here is a picture of the back of a drive and the jumper (strapping) block
referred to by fireberd.  The red cirled item is the jumper referred to by
purrplexed.

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4520-6603_16-5118840-4.html

Maybe the word strap is throwing you off. I just installed a DVD drive last week. When you look at the rear of the drive there should be three spots labelled Master--Slave--or CSel. The jumper on mine was set on the Master. You have to remove it with a needle nose plier and place it on the CSel post. The best way I can describe it is a very small, colored piece of (what appeared to me)  rubber-coated metal. It isn't a cable or a strap per se, although that may be the proper name for it.

Thanks to everyone you,ve been great. Sucess at last. I was looking for a connecting strap rather than a pin cover, that will teach me to explore were i shouldn,t be looking. looks o.k now.

Thanks to all again