Add SATA hard drive - ASUS MoBo

[Glenn]

Next month is tomorrow 

[Steve]

Obviously a housewife with too much leisure time

[stevenrw]

Yeah Steve, but in the interests of new year's eve harmony, we'll make that our little secret shall we?

[Steve]

mum's the word

[stevenrw]

All -
you are not going to believe this but....

Defective SATA data cable was the culprit. 
I got back to work, asked around and somebody suggested this had happened to them. I borrowed new cables to try and bingo!
So all that wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth was down to cr*ppy manufacture after all.

Thanks to everybody for your suggestions/help - they were much valued and appreciated

[Rik]

Typical. Glad it's sorted. 

[Sebby]

Same here.

[Steve]

How frustrating!