Suddenly Both Hard Drives Not Found 1

[rbbarker]

System Specs: Athlon XP2100+, Soyo Dragon KT333 Ultra Platinum, 512MB PC2100 DDR, Western Digital 40GB (Master HD on Primary IDE), Seagate 10GB (Slave HD on Primary IDE), Plexwriter CDRW on Secondary IDE, Visiontek GeForce TI4600, Audigy Platinum, and Windows XP.

Scenario: Last night I downloaded an update for Norton AntiVirus that required a reboot. I shut the system down before bed. My BattleField 1942 Road to Rome CD was still in the CDROM Drive. When I booted this morning, the RAM detection phase of the boot sequence went fine, but when it started detecting IDE devices it paused and then failed to see either my master or slave hard drives. It did see the CDROM on Secondary IDE. Everything was working fine yesterday. I went into BIOS and saw that autodetect was still enabled. I tried another reboot with the same results. I then had to go to work.

My Ideas: Since it's failing to see either HD, I'm assuming neither HD "fried" and that they are both getting power. I'm focusing on the Primary IDE slot on the motherboard (which I bought in September). Because the Soyo motherboard is a sturdy piece of hardware, I'm having a hard time thinking that it has failed. The only other thing that I can think of right now is that I left that Battlefield 1942 Road to Rome CD in the CDROM drive, which is included in the boot sequence.

My Intentions: When I get home, try a boot without the CD in the drive. If that doesn't work, open the case and check the Primary IDE connector on the motherboard. Also check the IDE connections and power connections to the hard drives.

All feedback and suggestions are more than welcome. Thank you for your ideas and expertise. Boyd

 

[xjlkx]

rbbarker -

I doubt the cd in your drive has any affect if your boot sequence lists IDE first.

You mentioned that BIOS is still detecting your CDROM drive on the secondary IDE channel. Try disconnecting all your drives, and reconnect the HDD's on your secondary IDE channel. This may help you determine where the problem lies. If it boots fine, and detects the hard drives, you may look at your primary controller. If it fails again, your drives may be the problem

Let me know if this works

 

[rbbarker]

I was really hoping the Cd had something to do with it. That would be an easy fix! If I plug the Primary IDE cable into the Secondary IDE Controller slot and everything works, I guess I have to consider a fawlty motherboard. I haven't changed anything in the BIOS to make this problem suddenly occur. I am worried that I may have to replace the motherboard. I will be home trying out this and any other suggestions starting at 3pm Central. Will advise then. Boyd.

 

[xjlkx]

rbbarker -

You dont necessarily have to replace the motherboard. You can buy PCI IDE controller cards for around $20.

 

[rbbarker]

Problem solved. Removed and reattached IDE1. Thanks!