Softmod Stuck At Microsoft Logo, attempting xboxhdm/ndure via hotswap Options

[nothingupmysleeve]

Hi all. I was attempting to softmod another xbox using Textbooks How to Softmod Your Xbox Using XboxHDM (Ndure) tut. after sorting out some PC issues everything seemed to go OK. When I plugged the HD back into the xbox it booted to my dash, I ran the NDTS and backed up my EEPROM and ftpd it out.

This is where I am having problems. I rebooted. Then after the Flubber screen the Xbox logo loads, Microsoft appears in white at the bottom then NOTHING. Stays like that. Loads retail discs fine. Wont load my slayers disc. No errors or error screens. I have several other working softmodded xboxes, fwiw that I used this method on.

So I figure, I've got the EEPROM I'll just build/burn another xboxhdm build it on the 80 gig drive I got and chalk it up to good luck that I got the eeprom while it did work.
Thats my other problem. For some unknown reason my 80gig cannot be seen as hda. Always hdb. I picked up a pair of identical 80gig seagates off ebay with the jumper diagram on the drive. Other one is happy in an xbox right now. (Same with bios detecting it cant get primary master regardles of the jumpers, or CS and try to use the cable to select) but since I can never get HDA I am unable to lock or unlock using the linux tools on the XboxHDM boot disc.
(actually havent tried unlocking the stock HD yet as I'm not sure what to do with it if it unlocks, so I'll go check if that drive will still show as master/hda)

So anyhow, whats the quickest way to get from the cluster*uck on my floor to a working softmod (preferably with my 80gig)? Is there a way to lock a drive on hdb chan? Maybe its just the pos PC and Cable Select will work when its in the xbox? I have other boxes in the garrage (PCs that is) if you think that would help? With Christmas being Sun I am short on time as this was supposed to be a gift for some kids...

I had built a XboxHDM disc with c&e off of one of my other xboxes and used the "build hd from scratch" on the other 80gig from the pair. (not sure why i mention it but more info is better right?)

Thanks in advance for any advice...