QPS CD-R/W locks up WinXP tight at splash screen!

QPS 16x10x40x. When installed as Master on Secondary IDE, it locks WinXP tight at the black WinXP Pro opening screen. When I disconnect the CD-R/W, with no other changes, WinXP boots just fine. Turn off, reconnect, reboot and it locks up again--every time.

WinXP will boot to Safe Mode and ID the drive, but will not boot in any other diagnostic or normal mode. Firmware is up-to-date. The CD-R/W works fine under WinME on another drive.

This is the damnest thing I've ever seen. Where should I look? QPS is no help.

BIG Boy

Thanks for your post and your suggestions. Although I didn't state so in my original post, I am no novice at this. Prior to posting the cry for HELP!, I d/l'd and installed the latest 4in1 VIA drivers. In addition, I tried every combo of Primary/Secondary, Master/Slave. I also tried the device under a different O/S on a different HD.

Hence my dilemna: the unit works fine under the C: drive w/ WinME and a standard configuration. But if I use the same hardware and same configuration but boot the D: drive w/ WinXP, the system locks at the opening screen--every time. If I disconnect the CD-R/W unit, it boots fine in WinXP.

Therefore, I am getting back to you. Any other suggestions? CMOS? Diagnostic program log?

Thx.

BIG Boy