Primary HDD not found

Question

OK.. I went thru these steps: * Click Start- Turn Off Computer- Restart * Watch the keyboard lights. When they flash, tap the F2 key * The message, Entering Setup should appear * Press the [Caps Lock], [Scroll Lock] and the [Num Lock] keys to light up all three lights on the keyboard * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time * The computer issues a beep * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time * The computer issues a beep * Down arrow to Onboard or Integrated Devices [press Enter] * Set everything to On except for USB Emulation which should be set for NO BOOT * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time * The BIOS saves settings and the computer restarts*

When the computer reboots it just starts with only one line "strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility". F1 does nothing but bring up the same message. F2 shows Primary Drive 0 & 1 as "OFF" So I tried changing the Primary 0 & 1 drives to Auto and rebooted. Now my [collapse]original message is back: Primary hard disk drive 0 not found; Primary hard disk drive 1 not found.

So I then repeated the first series of steps, This changes the Primary Drive 0 to Unknown Device, Primary Drive 1 to OFF, Secondary Drive 0 to CD-ROM Reader, Secondary Drive1 to OFF. Rebooted and I now get "Performing automatic IDE configuration... Secondary Master: CD-ROM Reader, Secondary Slave: CD-ROM Reader and below that "strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility". If I hit F2 it now shows the Primary 0 & 1 Drives as "OFF".

So I am back where I started... any other suggestions??? Help please! Diane

[/collapse]

schmidd · Answer

Sorry, I forgot to say it is a Dell Dimension 8200. I have 2- 80GB hard disks installed. I also tried disconnecting one & booting - it wasn't found; then the other & booting and it isn't found either. Now both are back as they were - and neither is found.

I got into this mess by simply deleting everything on the drives and reformatted them. I don't know what to do now.

Thanks for any suggestions - I am willing to try every and anything to save my PC.

Diane

Skybird · Answer

I assume that you originally had two hard drives and one of themhad Windows installed on it.  You then deleted everything on both drives then reformated them.  How did you do that?

ejn63 · Answer

Try the drives one at a time.  Chances are one of them has failed (which will render them both invisible).

schmidd · Answer

I got a virus and my pc just slowed to a slug pace... Tried a system restore - that didn't work.  I uninstalled all programs but widows xp on the primary drive, I reformatted the secondary drive which I stored photos, etc. on.   I  tried to run the 'repair' windows xp feature which didn't work.  I tried to 'reinstall' windows xp and it wouldn't allow me to do that.  So in frustration I  thought if I deleted all the files, then I could reinstall windows xp and start fresh.  Foolish I am sure, but some things are done in desperation.  So I deleted the files, put my windows xp cd in and restarted.  And since then it doesn't recognize my hard drives.

schmidd · Answer

I tried this already and it still says not found - individually or together, even if I changed primary & slave positions.  I find the likelyhood of both failing quite slim.  I also checked my power supply cables and they also all work.

Skybird · Answer

Press F2 at start-up and enter the Set-up (BIOS) and find the Primary Drive 0 and make sure it is set to AUTO.  Also, are both hard drives have the jumpers set to theCable Select position?

schmidd · Answer

I'll check the jumpers and let you know - thanks for all sticking with me as I try all your suggestions :emotion-1:

Storage, Drives & Media

Primary HDD not found

Was this post helpful?