Primary HDD 0 not found - Dell Dimension 8100

[monkey2]

As this machine has ME on it I want to install 2000. So I thought I would just install a new master drive and run it on Win 98 and upgrade to Win 2000. As soon as I removed the old drive I have the following error upon boot up "Primary Hard Disk Drive 0 not found".

I have definitely got the HDD jumper in the correct sequence, but I am wondering if it could be something to do with the Dell Bios - A06 as it seems not to be able to pick up my HDD. When I tried to manually put the capacity, cylinders etc in to the Bios it just didn't accept the details that are clearly printed on the HDD.

Has anyone got any suggestions?

PS - The old HDD comes up with the same message too now!

 

[wolluf]

IDE cable properly connected & not broken? (I've had little plastic tabs on side of connector slowly break).
PS. If installing 2000, do it clean, don't install 98 first as upgrade more unstable than clean install.

 

[dinosnake]

What model Dell is this? It could be that the BIOS cannot handle the size of the new HD, or the HD translation is in the wrong mode (Large / LBA / Normal), Your mileage may vary...

 

[wpfaff]

How old is your machine and what size is your Hard Drive that you are trying to install? Does your machine use an IDE OR SCSI interface? Do you have the correct HD for your interface? You may have to get an updated bios from Dell to recognize the hard drive. If you don't or can't get an updated bios file then you may have to use a disk manager software. I would only use this if nothing else will work.

Did you make sure that you drained any static charge that you may have by touching the metal chassis first before touching any other part? Is the HD that you are installing known to be operational. Check installation of your cables IDE/SCSI both ends are securely plugged in and power cable. Also check to see if your IDE/SCSI cable may have a broken wire. I would replace the cable just to be sure since your having trouble getting the old HDD to work. Double check that your master/slave setting is correct depending if you are using this device on an IDE port alone or with another device.
If you have enough space on your HDD you also can set up a dual boot for 98 or ME and 2000.

 

[Guest_imported]

I have the same problem as monkey2. The only difference is that i have a Dell OptiPlex GX110. All I did is take the harddrive out and put it back in. And now it gives me this error. Any suggestions?