Hard disk not detected

Question

I have a brand new Dimension 8300 computer. When trying to install Windows XP I'm told the installation program cannot detect my hard disk.

When running the Resource CD to test my hard disk two error messages appear.

1.The read test - Error code 0F00:0244 (data error or write protected )

2. The verify test - Error code 0F00:1A44 ( data error or write protected )

When running the configuration and diagnostics program, Ver 5.0 , I get this message. "No 3C90NICs are installed on this computer".

I'm also not allowed to format my hard drive.

I have a Dimension 8300 P4 with HT Technology 2.8GHz 800fsb and 512KB cache. 512 MB DDR400 Dual Channel Memory. 80GB IDE (7200rpm)Hard Drive

Any ideas anyone ???

osprey4 · Answer

Looks like you may be having a hard drive problem. You should contact Dell tech support with the details of those error messages.

KrazyK540 · Answer

I know this sounds stupid but this happened to mine..... I called dell and stayed on the phone for about two hours to find out that my hard drive was not plugged in all the way. If i were you I would unpug the computer from the wall so not to get shocked and then unplug the hard drive completely and plug it back in... sometimes the stupidest things work...just a suggestion

Wigdahl · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions, both of you.

I've checked and tested all the cables and they seem to be ok. I've also restored the BIOS default settings and cleared the NVRAM, before rebooting my system, but with no results so far.

Could there be something wrong with the hard disk driver ?

The technical information given when I reach the blue screen of death, after trying to install windows XP, is as follows:

STOP: 0x0000008E (0xC0000005,0xF84CACFD,0xF80A8800,0x00000000)

setupdd.sys - Address F84CACFD base at F84A1000, DateStamp 3d6dd67f

What this means, I've no idea.

osprey4 · Answer

That error message reveals this to be a RAM problem, according to this MS KB article.

Wigdahl · Answer

Thanks again Osprey. I'll keep this in mind when I phone the technical support later today.

Storage, Drives & Media

Hard disk not detected

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