if you don't have it already
get 2.1boot slax with the Hitachi drive connected and powered
once at the slax log on screen press the restart button
at the mobo mfg's splash screen (or 5sec after pressing restart) eject all the computer disk drives (leave the 360 alone for now)
it should boot fine in to window but take 2-3x longer
once in windows hit eject on the 360 console, the tray should come out
hit eject again, the tray should stay out and the middle light should blink once, now its in modeb and ready to flash