Defective IDE port?

[Wyvern Skyraiders]

I would like to know if anyone has ever encountered that kind of problem?
I usually know my way around in a computer, but this one seems to be out of my technical capabilities...
I have an HD that starts to spin only if the power cable is plugged in. As soon as I plug the IDE cable, the HD stops to spin, as if the HD had no power anymore...
I've checked to see if I had plugged the IDE cable the wrong way, but it's not the case...
I tried the primary and secondary port, but I'm afraid that these 2 ports are simply screwed...The motherboard I have is an old Abit LX6 motherboard...
By the way, the computer boots normally, but I can't figure out why the HD doesn't want to start...
Any ideas?

[Ygor]

IDE controllers do die. We have a biostar board with dead IDE's (although the floppy still works I think).

There are ide controller cards available if you can spare the pci slot. Don't know if they are available in ISA. Check Pricewatch.

You might try a bios flash but I doubt that will revive it. Best bet is to replace the board unless someone else has another option.