Hard drives not recognized in Windows ME

[10cedar]

I replaced the second hard drive in my old computer, which runs Windows ME and now it won't work at all. The set up knows the hard drives are both there, and which is Primary and which is slave, but the post screen only detects the CD Rom and CDRW drive. Also it will not boot from the floppy drive, just ignores it. I have checked all the cables and connections and have them configured properly, so is it worth taking it to an expert? Or is it time for the Knacker's yard? It worked fine before I put the second one in.

 

[wolluf]

So with both connected, neither is being detected in the bios? Have you tried each drive on its own? Are you sure the jumpers are set correctly (eg, some drives have different settings for single master and master with slave present). If you try drives one at a time you should find out if new drive is problem (you don't mention how large drive is or how old mobo is - another possibility is bios can't cope with suize of drive - in which case need a bios upgrade if one available, or perhaps drive has a limiting jumper - to make it appear smaller so older mobo's can recognise it).

 

[10cedar]

There was already a second drive in there. It was an 80 gb and the one I've replaced it with is only 40 gb. The thing is, when I started I took the wrong one out (the one with the operating system on) but when I switched on it did read from the ME start up disk. It was only when I went back in and put the operating system drive back and replaced the 80gb, that it decided not to recognise the floppy drive. The 80 gb was originally installed by PC World and worked fine for a couple of years. I haven't changed the configuration of the master drive, and I know I've got the new one configured correctly. However, I will do as you suggest and try them separately. The BIOS is detecting both drives, but the post screen won't and I can't get any further than the post screen.

 

[wolluf]

Hope separate trials will point you in right direction. Bit confused by 'The BIOS is detecting both drives, but the post screen won't'. What do you mean by this (my criteria for bios detecting hard drive is if it appears on the POST screen!).

 

[TekTippy4U]

I agree with wolluf about POST.....who knows the settings
may have been there from old drives....however
***The set up knows the hard drives are both there, and which is Primary and which is slave, but the post screen only detects the CD Rom and CDRW drive.***
are these both on the Secondary Channel?
***Also it will not boot from the floppy drive, just ignores it......
It was only when I went back in and put the operating system drive back and replaced the 80gb, that it decided not to recognise the floppy drive.
***
Is it possible you blew out the floppy controller on the Mobo whilst making connections....maybe with PSU plugged in...or not discharging your electrostatic shock when fiddling....try a diff floppy drive......
Yet...you may just have to set floppy in BIOS as "First BOOT Device"..and also set "Boot up on Floppy Seek" or similar under floppy settings

***I replaced the second hard drive in my old computer***
Cause it's old and you had such large drives, is it possible there's Drive Overlay involved.....
Are you using "AutoConfig" in BIOS for IDE Config(let the BIOS talk to the controller on HDD)..
Also, check in BIOS under IDE config..."Dual IDE Channels" Enable Both Channels

Definitely doing One at a time will help.....
Peace

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.