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[xboxmods2977]

Well, the fact that the console will power up and stay on without the HD connected may suggest that you need to replace your PSU again. If I had to guess...

To rule out the drive, power the xbox with a different drive plugged into the PSU and see if it does the same thing.

EDIT: and possibly the P/E board need replaced as well.

[ima747]

Drive results:
Internal connected: powers on then turns off when the drive should start reading
Internal disconnected: powers on and runs
Internal power only: powers on and runs
Internal data only: powers on and turns off when the drive should start reading
External connected: same as internal
internal data, using external power for drive: power/shutdown as before
exernal data internal power: power/shutdown as before

so it seems to the data path itself rather than the drive, or the power... will try to scrounge up another cable. Is there anything unique about the xbox IDE cable (cut wires etc?) or should a standard IDE work?

[xboxmods2977]

Yep. PSU appears good.
Yes, any IDE cable will work.

I would also recommend connecting your suspect drive to a PC running windows and attempt to access it with xplorer360. If that works and you get access, back up the drives contents. Hopefully you can salvage some of your data to put onto the new HD when you get one. That is, if the drive is at fault and not the IDE cable.

[xboxmods2977]

Ok, with no DVD drive or HD connected and it still powers itself back off, that leads me back to the PSU. Do you have another xbox PSU that you can try?

Also, common on your version xbox, check the bottom of the motherboard for any corroded traces. They may be hard to spot without an optical aid of some sort but there have been instances where when certain traces become corroded, an xbox can power on as soon as mains are connected to the wall outlet. These same corroded traces can cause your symptoms according to the link below. What you are looking for are what appear to be black spots that span across an entire trace.

More information on this here.

[ima747]

Got the board out and it looks like gerbils have been chewing on the traces... based on the level of corrosion and info gleaned from the linked guide I'm 90% sure this is the problem now. I think I have my answer and the guide should hopefully be my solution, or the death knell of the xbox, either way the end is in sight. Thank you VERY much for the assistance, it has been invaluable!