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Windows Vista Tried to install a second HD...now no boot!!

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by retrorod, 2010/12/05.

  1. 2010/12/05
    retrorod

    retrorod Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have an HP Pavillion m8724f desktop that was working perfectly. My wife's HP died (motherboard fried). I decided to add her Western Digital HD to my machine. I installed it, plugged in the power connector and the ribbon to an open SATA. Now I can't boot the machine, it wants me to "select the proper boot device" but I have gone in to the BIOS and it doesn't even see a hard drive at all.

    Did I (total computer novice) trash my machine?? I returned the machine to it's original config. and it still says I have no HD installed.

    Any suggestions??
     
    retrorod,
    #1
  2. 2010/12/05
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi retrorod. First make sure you plugged in the SATA cables properly. Try reseating the connection to the harddrive to make sure its not loose. It may look like its plugged in but it doesn't hurt to double check.

    When you go into the BIOS see if you can have the BIOS auto-detect the harddrive. There should be an option for you to press enter under the harddrive boot device to have the drive automatically detected. If you have it plugged in properly then the BIOS should recognize the harddrive.

    Also please enter your System Details. It helps us in answering your questions.

    Note: A common error is to forget to show your System Details in your profile:

    Make sure to do the above when entering your System Details, thanks.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2010/12/05
    retrorod

    retrorod Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Evan! Thanks for the input!! I felt really stranded in an unfamiliar place.

    I went back through everything and reseated all the connectors and double checked all of it and it was still no good. I am an electrician/auto tech by trade so I decided to approach this like I would be diagnosing a new Corvette. Since I never had any indication of the hard drive even attempting to power-up I decided to go after the basics...power and ground. I figured if the HD was not getting any power, the system couldn't auto-detect anything.

    Some basic voltage checks from the power supply to the HD connector proved my theory,
    I was right, the power supply to the HD was DEAD...all the other sections of the power supply were working. Since I had another power supply under the bench I gave it a shot.

    Much to my relief, with the new power supply everything booted quickly and normally...all is well in my world. Once again I find my DVOM to be worth it's weight in gold!!

    Thanks again!!!!!!
     
    retrorod,
    #3
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  5. 2010/12/05
    Admin.

    Admin. Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Please mark your thread as 'Resolved'.

     
    Admin.,
    #4
  6. 2010/12/05
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Your Welcome. Glad you were able to get your problem resolved. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #5

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