Switching to a different power connector should not make a difference since the power connectors all go to the same source, unless there is a short in that connector.

The CD ROM drive uses both 12 and 5V leads off the power supply. 12V for the motor and 5V for the logic board.

I would think the problem is in the 12V, since if the problem was in the 5V it would likely affect the motherboard since 5V also goes to the motherboard and is passed through a VR for I/O voltage on an AT board. 12V goes to the board but serves no critical purpose.

Here's the thing though, 12V serves ALL motors on ALL drives, so you would think that the 12V that spins your hard drive up would effect your hard drive! Then again.... stranger things have happened.

I suppose the problem could be the board since there is a small line of 3.3V coming in through the IDE cable and it HAS been known to happen in the past, so don't rule anything out. Power supplies are cheap and easy, though. Cheaper than CDROMs. Cheaper than motherboards.

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