600 watt hps/mh problem with hps lamp

i'm having a problem with my hps lamp on my 600 watt switchable ballast. my MH lamp works no problem but when i go to put my hps lamp in it only sparks, I've waited up to 30 mins for it and it still won't fire. its a AgroMax hps lamp and i think its just the fact is cheap but i did get it to work once but went it turned off it failed to turn back on with my timer. i have also tried different outlets without the timer and still no luck. any help would be great.

...is it burnt out?

no never used

Well if it's sparking inside the lamp that probably means it burnt out. Send it back if never worked.