hard drive not recognized

[harddriveprobs]

My PC is currently experiencing hardware problems. It is a 1GHZ, 256mb RAM computer with a Fujitsu MPG3409 40.9GB hard drive. The computer does not boot up properly, and often does not recognize the hard drive and CD drive. On occasion, it does boot up, but the hard drive eventually still locks up after typically less than 1 hour of use. Then it does not work again. It shows signs of being a problem involving over-heating, since the computer works for a little while, then freezes, and then it does not work again for several hours.

So Im wondering if anyone has either encountered this sort of problem before, or can suggest a possible solution I should try. thanks in advance.

 

[wolluf]

Overheating sounds likely - but of what? Has you mobo/bios got sensors so you can monitor the cpu & case temperature? I have had a similar problem - it was the hard drive that was getting hot. It eventually died - I did try fitting a hard drive cooling fan - which initially increased the time it ran - but no good in the long run. If its not the hard drive - but is overheating, obviously check your CPU and case fans - and if neccessary add more cooling (though from your machine spec, you should only need 'normal' cooling working properly, unless your working environment is very hot).