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como13

3 Posts

491

August 31st, 2005 04:00

Help for a Dimension 4550

Guys:
 
Here is the deal, I have never had to do anything with computer, but recently I decided to add a hard-drive.  I followed the instructions and the hard-drived worked as a slave for the first and second time I turned it on, but after that it would not load, infact the screen would take me to a Screen and ask me to press F1 to boot the original hard again because there was an error.  The hard-drive boots everytime I press F1, but the second hard-drive is no where to be found. 
 
Now I have never been on this board before, but I decided to find out if it could help and honestly I found out I have a lot of stuff to do.  I do not know if I need to update my BIOS, or change some type of battery, or just get another computer all together.  I know it is an older model, but I would like to know if anyone else has had this type of problem.  What I have read about updating the BIOS is that it could be problamatic, so I wanted to put it out there and see if anyone could offer some guidence.
 
I have an Dimension 4550, with a 2.0 pentium (don't laugh) processor and my BIOS is A01.  Thank You
 
Thank You
como13

Majestic

2 Intern

 • 

9.4K Posts

August 31st, 2005 11:00

Make sure the new hard drive is jumpered for Cable Select and properly attached to the ribbon cable.  If the BIOS still fails to detect the hard drive then try clearing the NVRAM using the procedure I've listed below.  After a hardware addition it is not uncommon for the hardware information stored in the NVRAM that the BIOS uses to not be updated properly.
  • Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2. 
  • Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and  Num Lock.
  • Press ALT+ E then ALT+ F then ALT+ B

como13

3 Posts

August 31st, 2005 12:00

Thank you. I really appreciate the help. I will attempt the procedures on the 2nd and get back to you. Thank You.

shesagordie

12 Elder

 • 

46K Posts

August 31st, 2005 16:00

como13.
 
In order for windows to recognize the second hard drive, it must be partitioned and formatted.   These are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all brands.

Bev.

como13

3 Posts

September 2nd, 2005 11:00

Bev, thank you for the information, it looked very helpful. 

shesagordie

12 Elder

 • 

46K Posts

September 2nd, 2005 18:00

como13.
 
Good Luck.
 
Bev.

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