Hard drive running ok, but no show in DM 1

[G0AOZ]

This Packard Bell machine has had a few viruses which are now out of the system. It boots up XP Home SP2 without any errors. The only hard drive in the system shows up in Device Manager, but is completely absent in Disk Management. All that shows in DM is the CD drive. Currently no errors showing in Event Viewer.

Also cannot get any USB plug-in drives (flash or ext. HDD) to show up, although these ports are working fine for the USB keyboard and mouse.

Exactly the same scenario in Safe Mode. Any clues as to what is stopping drives from showing up in DM?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

File corruption, would be my guess here...

have you run SFC on the OS, and/or CHKDSK on the file system...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[G0AOZ]

Ben, SFC and CHKDSK both ran through without a hitch.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

Roger, why not image the drive, then apply SP3 to the OS and see if that alleviates the problem...

alternatively, I would try an Inplace Ugrade (repair) install on it...

other than that Services come to mind...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks Ben. I've checked through the services and cannot see anything that is amiss, or not started that should be.
Also found a Windows security alert that says the firewall isn't switched on, and yet the firewall service shows as started. I'll bet these faults are connected in some way to the previous intrusions...

Just trying SP3 now...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

Hey, no problem Roger, just keep us posted...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[G0AOZ]

I'm pleased to report that SP3 fixed the hard drive issue and the firewall problem. I reckon one of the many malicious intrusions may have messed with the Logical Disk Manager to cause the drive problem, although I've no way of proving it. I did also look at trying to do a System Restore, but that failed to initiate, no error message or anything, just sat there doing nothing.

Thanks again Ben - have a star!

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

Glad you got it running OK... and Thnx for a star...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.