Computer Failing to Boot - Why?

TommyTenToes · 4 Sep 2009 at 12:04

Ok, a few months ago my HDD stopped being detected at BIOS, it happened gradually at first, sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. Eventually it was never detected and I thought fair enough, broken HDD, and bought a new one.

This worked fine for a few weeks, but has recently started doing the same thing, not being detected at BIOS and unable to start. I was told this might be because of my CMOS battery being low/dead, so tried another one and it is still getting the same problem.

Am I right in thinking it's probably the motherboard? New SATA cables were used for both HDDs so I can't see it being a cable issue.

All help welcome!

Thanks

Plec · 4 Sep 2009 at 12:56

Try disabling 'quick boot' if you have the option in the BIOS.

sk3lph · 4 Sep 2009 at 17:17

Presumably you tried plugging the SATA cable into a different socket on the motherboard?

TommyTenToes · 4 Sep 2009 at 23:36

Disabled Quickboot, still no change.

sk3lph said:
Presumably you tried plugging the SATA cable into a different socket on the motherboard?

Yep.

alex24 · 4 Sep 2009 at 23:37

Some motherboards let you set a timeout or HDD spin up delay. Perhaps your board is booting too quick before the HDDs have fully spun up? Rare with todays tech but worth a look.

TommyTenToes · 4 Sep 2009 at 23:47

alexhull24 said:
Some motherboards let you set a timeout or HDD spin up delay. Perhaps your board is booting too quick before the HDDs have fully spun up? Rare with todays tech but worth a look.

Doesn't seem to be an option on my motherboard... it worked for a couple of years with the initial HDD then for a few weeks with this recent one, so I don't think this will be the issue.