Hard drive problems

Skybluearmy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:04

Hi guys, need some advice as I'm now at a loss as to what's going on.

I've had mega hassle with IDE drivers error system halt messages, but finally I've managed to get a disk drive to recognise and managed to boot off windows disk and reinstall windows.
The pc now boots up to windows fine but when I plug in my second hdd (the one I need to get family photos off) both hdd's don't show in the bios!

I have not updated windows to sp3 or anything yet so not sure if that would have any impact. I'd be really gratefully if advice and ideas please.

P.s I was tempted to buy a case to make it an external via USB, or is that just not worth it??

Thanks,

Skyblue

Admiral Huddy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:08

IDE drives? Configured correctly and Master/Slave?

Skybluearmy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:11

Sorry yeh they are IDE and the one running windows is master with the second set as slave and both in the correct positions on cable.

reygjabla · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:15

Check the jumper of the drive as well if it correspond to master and slave position.

Admiral Huddy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:19

Do either work fine on there own?

Try swapping the cable for new one.

Skybluearmy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:21

Admiral Huddy said:
Do either work fine on there own?

Try swapping the cable for new one.

The one I've installed windows on works fine on it's own and is obviously in the bios when I look. But once I shut down, plug in the other one then reboot and look in bios no hdd is show. They both disappear.

Admiral Huddy · 23 Sep 2010 at 08:26

Have you tried the Windows HDD on both Master and Slave on it's own? If own works and the other doesn't and you have set the jumper correctly, my guess it's a dodgy cable. Do you have a secondary IDE channel?

Other than swapping the cable, try setting the jumper to "C" Cable Select.

Skybluearmy · 24 Sep 2010 at 07:48

Changed cable and jumpers around but makes no difference, once I plug my second one in both are not seen in the bios.
Would a hdd case to connect it via USB once pc has fully booted stand any more chance of working?

reygjabla · 24 Sep 2010 at 09:25

Looks like your PSU isn't up for the job.

Admiral Huddy · 24 Sep 2010 at 11:35

Yes what PSU do you have?