So even getting rid of *both* my ATA disks, and "replacing" them with a SATA
disk, ending up in a config with two SATA disks and my DVD burner off the
secondary ATA channel would not work!?

What do you suggest?

It will. In compatibility mode, it will place both SATA disks on the same
register task file, thus making them inter-dependent. In native mode - works
fine (but no DOS).

--
Maxim Shatskih, Windows DDK MVP
StorageCraft Corporation

http://www.storagecraft.com