[my dvd drive is a plextor sata...could the sata cable cause this problem?]
Simple way to know conect a normal dvd drive on ide 2 and test it!
Or try to hide some thing's wis plextools (they are on your plextor install CD)
some part's of copy protection doesn't like run from a dvd burner and work some times only with dvd or cd read only drive.
But why so many disturb if nocd work fine?
sorry for bad english hope can find some help.