I have it soldered and flashed. Even have it testing both ms os and flashed os. Then when I put in the cdrom or even apply pressure on the link cable or the 8 pin ribbon and try to turn on the box I get the dreaded up-down-up-down-up-down dead. Ne1 else have this problem. If I keep the supplied link cable off then I have absolutely no problems.

I have the same problem , so i just left out the parallel cable off the box...

Any help would be appreciated.

dam thing anyways. All I have to do when the box flashes is turn off again and wiggle the link cable. then turn on and it works.

I know what your about to say. but its not the cable we checked every point with a meter.