Dimension 3000 not recognizing drives.

During reinstall, did you install the motherboard "Chipset Drivers"?  If not that could be your problem.  The chipset drivers need to be installed right after installing Windows.

Thank you for responding.  I didn't get as far as reinstalling.  Once the hard drive was formatted, it was no longer available in the Setup.  Even though the DVD drive is listed in the BIOS, it won't read CDs now.  (It had previously failed the Spindle Test.) The DVD drive light comes on briefly, then disappears.

 

Since the drive failed the test, I would suspect it is defective and you will need to replace it.

 

Formatting the hard drive effectively erases all data and you will need to load Windows, chipset drivers, device drivers, etc.

After spending grueling hours with the tech rep on the phone, he did say it could either be a bad drive or a bad cable.  I suggested a home service call since this computer is under warranty till September 2008.  He wouldn't agree to it.  (So much for their "We're there the next day for you." ) Said they had to know exactly what the problem was before a service call could be initiated.  I can't imagine how, after trying every so called fix,  they can  decide which drive/cable is the problem without installing a different drive/cable. My first contact with them was in March and I have been unable to use this computer since then.  I keep sending letters advising them what I've tried.  I can't help but feel that they would drag this out until the warranty was up.  I'm especially upset because I've purchased two Dells in 5 years and never required assistance before. 

 

 We know the DVD drive is faulty  but  I find it hard to believe the hard drive went down at the same time. I have another Dell (Dimension 8100) and I'm going to swap the hard drive and see what happens.  Will keep the forum posted in case this should happen to anyone else's Dimension 3000. 

 

Thanks again. 

try reseating your dvd drive, if still no go, then try using a diffrent dvd or cd drive if available. :)

maybe the phone tech support ask you this question, "How did you format your hard drive if your dvd is falulty?", if you can still boot to the OS, there is something wrong with your registry. im feel sorry if you haven't used your computer for a while now.

The phone rep never asked but I had tested the DVD drive before I decided to try to format.  I took a chance and it certainly appeared that it worked.  However, when the format was 100% complete, the other drives were not recognized.  Listed below are some steps I tried even before I called Dell.

 

 

 

hmmm.... hard drive spindle failure, i guess you have to update your optical drive firmware.

 

you can download these.

HLDS GCC-4244N 24X Slim Combo  (compressed file B-103.zip)

HLDS GDR-8084N Slim 8X DVD  (compressed file 102.zip)

 

Click on FW Flashup button to begin the flash process.
The Flash process is complete message appears.

Click the OK button.

Restart the system.

I really appreciate you're trying to help me.  I have checked the boot sequence and reseated the devices and cables many times. Everything is a comfortable fit.  In the boot sequence, only the DVD drive is listed.  It says the Diskette Drive is not installed - which, of couse, it is.  Without the hard drive showing up, I can't do anything at all. 

 

There are three devices installed, the hard drive, the DVD drive and the diskette drive - each having their own cable.  At first, I thought perhaps they weren't put back properly but there is no other way to put them in.  All devices have their own power source and they are also in tight.  

 

According to Western Digital, the jumper on the hard drive is in the correct spot. (pins 1 & 2)  However, I even moved the jumper to every possible combination and that made no difference.

 

I have gone to many online technical sites looking for a solution but, obviously, I haven't found one.

 

All this information has been sent to Dell's Expert Resolution Center and no one has gotten back to me regarding a service call. 

 

I have been more than patient - but I'm at my wits end now.   I'm grateful for the people on the forum who try to help.   Without you guys, a lot of Dells would have been tossed out a window.

 

 

To Fox:  You are absolutely correct in your reply to moon133.  However, I truly appreciate anyone trying to help, regardless of the response.  I have been reading the Dell Forum for years - just because I love to learn.  Believe me, I  have learned so much from the people on these boards who are so kind to share their knowledge. 

 

Regarding your reply to me, I have GOOD NEWS!  :smileyhappy: Dell emailed me yesterday to inform me that I am finally going to get a home service call along with an optical drive, a motherboard and cables.  This supposedly won't happen until some time next week, but I will definitely let everyone know the outcome.

 

My sincere thanks to all who offered advice. 

 

 

i stand corrected, that wont work for optical on dim3000. thanks.

Update: 

 

The service repairman came today and replaced the motherboard, DVD drive and the

cables and we are right back to square one; Diskette Drive 0 Seek Failure and Primary Drive

0 Not Found.  He called Dell who had him perform the same steps that they had me do.  

Nothing worked.  Dell then decided it must be a bad hard drive and said they would send a new one. I told the repairman that I had swapped a working hard drive already and that didn't do the trick either.  He said the BIOS was wrong when I did it.   I don't understand that at all because the BIOS always says the same thing.    It would have been so much easier, and cheaper, for Dell  to give me a working tower and take mine back.  So, now I wait. :smileysad: