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detecting hardrive

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by svensons, 2009/03/06.

  1. 2009/03/06
    svensons

    svensons Inactive Thread Starter

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    can anyone help, i am attempting to install win xp i have motherboard m5alc.
    on boot it just holds at detecting IDE primary hardrive (press f4 to skip )
    pressing f4 hasno result. i have checked all leads and jumper settings on hdd
    have tried taking out battery on motherboard still holds at same spot.
    any suggestions
    thanks
     
    svensons,
    #1
  2. 2009/03/06
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  4. 2009/03/06
    svensons

    svensons Inactive Thread Starter

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    thanks for the welcome to windowsBBC
    i tried a brand new hard drive and still got the same problem.
    should i still check out the hard drive i have installed or do you think the hdd is not the problem. the hdd i am useing is formmatted.
     
    Last edited: 2009/03/06
    svensons,
    #3
  5. 2009/03/06
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If the drive is new and you have the same problem as with the old drive then there is no point in running the diagnostics on it.

    Try resetting the CMOS as described in the manual on page 1-25 (simply removing the battery will not necessarily do the trick) and then see if the drive is detected. Check that the drive is jumpered to Master.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2009/03/07
    svensons

    svensons Inactive Thread Starter

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    ok i tried resetting cmos as per manual jumpers set to 2+3. then jumpers back to 1+2 booted up still holding at same spot.
    i swapped ide cables to newones still the same.
    i also tried swapping idecables around. i made the dvd drive primary master and the hdd secondary master from the motherboard.when i booted up it bootedfurther. the dvd drive was seen as primary dvd drive. it carried on booting but said there is no primary slave
    and no secondary master or slave. so no hdd detected.
    did i clear the cmos correctly. can you help any further.
     
    svensons,
    #5
  7. 2009/03/07
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You reset the CMOS correctly according to the manual.

    The primary hard drive should be on IDE 1, jumpered Master and connected to the end of the cable.

    Some detail of the situation which led up to this problem would be helpful .....

    Was the computer running previously and on which OS?, or ....

    Was there a specific problem which led you to attempt an install of XP?
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2009/03/07
    svensons

    svensons Inactive Thread Starter

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    i was given the computer which was not working by a friend at work. when he gave it to me it had no hard drive. not much help sorry
     
    svensons,
    #7
  9. 2009/03/07
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Hmm - maybe some friend :) So you've no idea if it was working before it was given to you? - I suspect a motherboard failure, probably with the IDE controller(s).

    Really difficult to offer any more advice onthat basis.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2009/03/07
    svensons

    svensons Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes i think you correct. to the dustbin for the motherboard. thanks pete for all your good advice. hope to chat again:)
     
    svensons,
    #9
  11. 2009/03/08
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome :)
     
    PeteC,
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