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Mortso

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Mortso

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March 17th, 2004 17:00

Installed second hard drive, get NTLDR missing error

I posted this on Hard Drive forum, but think there's more traffic here. Hope I can get away with this:

Trying to install 2d HD in my 4600. The second drive is formatted and has files on it. I've been running it on USB 2.0. What I've done:

1. Set both drives to "Cable Select".
2. Connected old HD, "C:/" to first connection on cable.
3. Connected new HD, to end of cable.

When I start comp I get "NTLDR is missing, press C-A-D to restart.

Have disconnected new drive, put original drive back on end of cable. The computer is now working, but would not boot in "Normal". I had to set it to "C:/", and it booted.

Would appreciate someone telling me what the problem is/what I'm doing wrong. Thanks a lot.

  • redwolfe_98

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 18:00

    i believe that the primary drive is supposed to be connected to the end of the ribbon cable.. i don't know if changing that will solve the problem for you.. you could try putting things back like they were, with the single harddrive attached to the end of the cable, seeing it the computer then works ok, essentially starting over..
  • JohnK324

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 21:00

    You could look HERE and see if any of these apply to your previous configurations.

    Most of the time the Master is at the end, check HERE

    Message Edited by JohnK324 on 03-17-2004 06:57 PM

  • Mortso

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 22:00

    Really appreciate the responses, thanks.  Just got this thing to boot, and found them. I'll post what I did as it may clarify something for a future searcher:

         1.  I put the old (OS) drive behind the new drive so the IDE cable would reach (The 4600 manual could be clearer).  Put the OS drive on end of cable, new drive on middle.  (I had read on another forum that this didn't matter, but I guess it does)

         2. Checked all cable and power connections in computer (couldn't tell if any were loose).

         3. Unbelievably, the thing booted right up, and Windows found the drive. Everything in Device Manager is showing good, and DMA is enabled on both drives and DVD-CDR.

    However, I have one prob I hope one of you can help me with:  As I said above, the drive I just put in was previously used on this computer in a USB 2.0 enclosure.  It is now still shown as USB Drive (F:).  When I go to disk management, I can change the drive letter but can't get rid of the USB identification. If someone has the solution, I'd really appreciate it.  I've never had this much trouble putting in a second drive,  I'll blame it on XP, LOL.

     

  • JRosenfeld

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 22:00

    Assuming that you mean Dimension 4600, the instructions are here:

    http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/parts.htm#1138767

    Unfortunately, it does not specify which connector should go on which drive, but I would connect the drive with the OS to the end of the cable.

  • Mortso

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 23:00

    Jimw--  Thanks a lot.  Really appreciate it.  "USB" looked kind of funny there.  OK, I'm done-- Miller time.  Once again, thanks to all for the responses.
  • jwatt

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    Posted March 17th, 2004 23:00

    I can change the drive letter but can't get rid of the USB identification. If someone has the solution, I'd really appreciate it. I've never had this much trouble putting in a second drive, I'll blame it on XP, LOL.

    That's just the volume label. Right click on the drive icon in the Windows Explorer, select "Properties", and change the "Label".

    Jim
  • jwatt

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    Posted March 18th, 2004 02:00

    OK, I'm done-- Miller time

    Enjoy!

    Jim