Hard Drive Crashes Computer

[DeathBang]

I have a Dell Dimension 2400 with an Intel celi. Its up to 756 mb of ram and my main HD is a maxtor 40GB. The poroblemm isn't with the 40gb but a 160 gb mator that doesn't work properly anymore. Nowdays when I install it into the computer and boot it up it gets stuck at the booting part and brings up a Primary and secondary drive missing error.

I've looked through my bioes and checked my jumps to make sure my 40gb is the master and the 160 the slave. the slave drive is autodetected but is set to N/A in bios. When I change it to auto still the same thing happees and it doesn't read that either HD is there at all. I have a bunch of school work I need. back ups of the last oh.... year of school. I can't just abandon the drive and its even more fustrating because of my personal things I have sotered on there such as music and other media.

I've switched around the jumpers to cable select same error before boot. the bios i'm not to familur with so its more troublesome for me. It use to work and would do this everytime i took it out and put it back in, but it use to always be read eventually through some merical. I only did the same as i do now take it out check the conections and jumps then put it back in and try again. now it just wont do anything. its like the 160 negates the fact that the HD are even conected. Oh and i did switch out the HD cables just in case...nope

Any help trying to fix this would be nice. Even if it works once it would be enough for me to grab the REALLY important stuff off it. Thank you

 

[wahnula]

DeathBang,

There is always a CHANCE that an external USB drive case might allow you to see your files. They are cheap (<$20) and can serve as backup-drives holders in the future. Here's a sample, but there's LOTS of choices:

http://www.directron.com/enc311u41.html

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[G0AOZ]

Assuming that this PC has two IDE interfaces, I'd jumper each drive as a Master. Attach your 40Gb drive as the only drive on the Primary IDE. Disconnect and CD/DVD drives on the Secondary IDE, and attach the 160Gb as the only drive. See if that makes any difference.

I'm also assuming that the 160Gb drive does actually spin up. If it ain't spinning you're not past first base...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[DeathBang]

Alright I'll try out with my secondary IDE and see if that works, and once I can I'll get an external converter. I need to get one anyways with all my crap at school.

Thanx for the help. If I have any problems I'll post again.

 

[DeathBang]

I tried it on my secondary IDE cable The first time It did the same thing but i booted without it anyways. Now when I have it plugged in the computer starts to boot gets past the first screen then the power turns off and my power light flashes orange untill I hold my power button in and force a shut down.

As of the converter I haven't gotten one as of yet, but am working on it. Hopeing that that will work once I do get one.

 

[wahnula]

Hmmm...power light flashing amber...in a Dell I believe this means PSU issue...can't be sure right now but search Google for "Dell flashing amber" or the like.

It would make sense that the PSU might not be able to power up the drives. I don't have time right now or I'd search myself.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[acewarlock]

Sounds like the 160Gb HD is causing a power overload.




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