Why my MP3's were skipping
 

I recently did a new system build with many shiny new toys, including a SATA hard drive, but I still wanted to use my old IDE drive for extra storage and I needed to transfer some files over to the new install. So initially I had both drives hooked up.
I found while trying to play my MP3's (through WinAmp naturally) I was having terrible skipping problems compounded by nasty pops and scratches. After reading every thread I could find here on the forums, and trying anything I suspected MAY help me, to no avail, I had nearly given up the fight to resolve the issue.
I had deduced that I had no problems at all playing MP3's with just my SATA drive installed, so it must have been a IDE issue. After some time making sure I had good IDE settings in my BIOS, I finally came across this web page on a Google search that I wanted to share with others that may also have the same silly problem I had, and maybe I could save even 1 person from the grief I went through in my search for enlightenment.
Here is the URL:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/conf_Cable80.htm

Yep, you guessed it from the URL. The solution was as simple as (mis)using an old 40 wire IDE cable I had inadvertently grabbed in my new build excitement. I found my IDE drive was wanting UDMA mode 5 and an 80 wire cable, but I was feeding it a 40 wire and it was revolting! A quick exchange of cables to the IDE drive and all was working as it should.
I hope this helps at least ONE other person who may have also made the stupid mistake I did and make your WinAmp a happy MP3 playing machine!