Hard Drive Issues - PC Not detecting Hard Drive

[tcjacobs]

I have a custom built AMD Athlon 800MHz sytstem that just had the hard drive replaced about a month ago. Occassionally when I boot my machine, my computer does not detect my hard drive. I can reboot several times and it will do the same thing. If I let it sit for awhile and come back to it, then it boots up fine but when I reboot again, it doesn't detect it. Can anyone tell me what's going on? I would really appreciate any help anyone can give me?

 

[wjs2]

There are several different things that could be going on here. Since you didn't mention anything you have tried other than booting the system, we'll just start from the top.

Check the cables. Are they down snug on all the connectors? If so, have you tried different cables?

You mentioned you have the problem when you reboot, it could be heat related. AMD's are known to run a little hot. Check to see that the temp isn't too high. Some motherboards have sensors you can check with utilities that came with the motherboard. It should be running under 60c/140f tops. Closer to upper 40's/100's to lower 50's/120's is much better.

WJS

 

[tcjacobs]

I've tried different cables and it's still does the same thing. I don't think it's heat related because it will do it after the machine has been off over night.

 

[wjs2]

OK. I just went for the obvious. Why did you replace the previous hard drive in the first place? Was the other showing the same symptoms? That could mean a controller. Another consideration might be the power. Are you using the same power supply harness as on the previous drive? If this is true try switching. How about the power supply itself? How big is it and what all do you have running off of it? You may need to do some checking on what the power supply is capable of holding down. Too small a power supply can kill anything and everything. In addition, you should have gotten some utilty routines with the disk. Have you tried running the diagnostics to see if the drive itself passes?

That's about all I could come up with at this point. Let me know if anything helps.

WJS

 

[edfair]

I lived with one like this for a year or so until the PS was replaced. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.