BIOS won't EVER recognize my hard drives - but can still access both without issues.....

Hi, Brad - it's the 'MT' configuration.....

Threshold for CPU is typically 100°C.

What model and size/form factor Optiplex do you have?

You're certainly not expected to change OS.

I wonder if BIOS is corrupted.

Hopefully you have your own working security on Win7 and didn't get a virus.

You might try a different HDD?  I won't say reload Win7 since not much can be done with it when it's raw with just SP1.

Are you able to access F2 BIOS at all upon startup?  Without a model #, I don't know if it has BIOS recovery though.

So far, I've been replying to the main pgh. in the first post.

"BIOS won't EVER recognize my hard drives - but can still access both without issues....."  Statement is a little confusing.  Could you please clarify?  It sees both HDD's when you're in BIOS?  Have you tried booting with just the boot drive plugged in?

That's a LOT of work for me at this moment especially, Brad - do have a spare unused but, guess the biggest question is, can a HDD (or two) be perfectly fine otherwise and still go unrecognized by BIOS?

I couldn't match the validation code, but the error code itself, even with a couple of different validation codes, seems to indicate HDD failure.

Try running diagnostics.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000179493/dell-diagnostic-tools-to-diagnose-and-fix-hardware-problems-on-your-dell-pc-tablet-or-servers 

1. Turn on the Dell computer.
2. At the Dell logo screen, press F12 key several times to enter One-time Boot Menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics and press the Enter key on the keyboard.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts and respond appropriately to complete the diagnostics.
5. If the test passes, the hardware devices are working correctly.
6. If the test fails, write down the error code and validation code. Browse to the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check page to get more information about the error code.

AssistSupport is apparently NOT available for Windows 7 - and I'm definitely not updating to 8, either.....I determined that error / validation code BY running BIOS Diagnostics.....

No, it doesn't - BIOS didn't today, see either - but I can access files, folders from both without any problem when out of BIOS mode, am on the normal Desktop; that's what I meant.....

Did today, anyhow (previously as well) - but by F12 (unless that's what you meant, and the '1' went missing.....LOL)

Also, if you do as suggested to visibly see all drives, be sure to turn Secure Boot back when done, Legacy Option ROMs off when done.

As for my statement about "BIOS learning," more accurately, it likely has to do with the boot order if HDD is automatically chosen over SSD.

The short version is in BIOS have Secure Boot off, Legacy Option ROMs on.  Then all drives should appear, at least in the Boot Menu.  When done viewing onscreen, Legacy Option ROMs off and Secure Boot on.

Hi, Brad - been having absolute fits with the mouse & keyboard freezing up, flaking by either opening new / wrong windows, or highlighting multiple webpage tabs on Firefox; done just about EVERYthing I can to try and fix, to the best of my knowledge -  do want to sound you out about one new development, though: installed 'Driver Easy' and, despite it indicating I need to update the Intel Watchdog Timer, shows as being already updated in its Device Manager pulldown tab.....as for what you had to say about BIOS recognizing one or both hard drives in a certain mode (?) haven't had a chance to investigate that further.....do those options appear in the main BIOS menu once I've hit F12?

Thanks again!

Jim

"do want to sound you out about one new development, though: installed 'Driver Easy' and, despite it indicating I need to update the Intel Watchdog Timer, shows as being already updated in its Device Manager pulldown tab"

I don't know what you meant by that.  I never mentioned "Driver Easy' or "Intel Watchdog Timer."

Sorry about all of the trouble you're having. I'm wondering in the back of my head if it's time for a different PC.  I don't know why why your keyboard and mouse keep freezing up.  I've only had that happen when I was sent malware back in 2013.

BIOS menu is F2, and Boot Menu is F12.  When I did that long winded post last Mon., I changed my mind about being public with screengrabs showing model #'s of my drives.  So the post and photos got deleted.

So here's some BIOS screengrabs.  Hopefully self explanatory about where to find things mentioned.  Boot Sequence can show drives with Secure Boot off and Legacy Options ROMs on.

Remember to click "Apply" after making any changes.