HD Error Message

Question

I really just assumed this is a hard drive issue.  If it's something else, please let me know.  Anyway, I had left my computer on for a long time, and when I came back the screen was blank.  I shut off the computer, turned it back on, and now it reads, 'No boot device available - Press F2 for setup,' etc., everytime I turn it on.  Does anyone know if this is fixable without Dell's service?

bacillus · Answer

ok, first try reseating the hdd.
if that doesn't work then check to see if the hdd is seen in bios: you'll see the hdd capacity if it's seen.
if it's not seen after trying to reseat the hdd a few times then more than likely it's dead.
if it's seen in bios then you'll have to say what model laptop & what OS you're using.

jdrez · Answer

It is seen in the BIOS. It's an Inspiron 8600 using Windows XP Professional. How would I reseat the HDD in an inspiron?

Message Edited by jdrez on 09-05-2004 11:04 AM

Message Edited by jdrez on 09-05-2004 11:05 AM

ejn63 · Answer

Remove the screw at the bottom, slide the carrier out and push it back in.  Replace the screw. Run the Dell diagnostics on the drive, including a full surface scan.

bacillus · Answer

suggest you try booting off the xp cd, going into the recovery console by pressing R at the appropiate time & using the fixboot &/or fixmbr command.
btw leave the password box empty & just press enter on the keyboard to gain access to the console.

Lagrian · Answer

Hi I have the exact same problem as jdrez,

Basically intermittently I get the primary HD failure message on my Inspiron 8500, so I check the BIOS and it is detected. It never fails during use i.e in Windows I can leave it on for days and nothing will happen.

However every other reboot I get HD failure this led me to think that the connector was only half connected, so I check and all looks okay but try reseating it anyway. Each time this failure happens I try all of these thing and eventually it boots and emphasis on eventually.

I have also tried updating the BIOS to the latest and run HD diagnostics on the drive which returns everything as fine

Beyond this I am stuck any ideas anyone ? please please please

jdrez · Answer

Well, I tried reformating the hard drive and everything. Windows got nowhere in 10 hours, so I think I'll just send it into Dell.

Lagrian · Answer

Hmm I know mine isn't windows related as it can't even find the disk.

When it finally does find the disk and boots , it never has a problem in windows, can leave it on indefintley no probs.

So it must be somehting to do with BIOS or how its physically connected, I m convinced there is nothing worng with the HD or with whats on it.

I updated my BIOS recently to the latest to try and solve this, but no luck.

Ill let you know if I find anything

Storage, Drives & Media

HD Error Message

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