No fixed Disk Found

neocon · 24 Nov 2006 at 18:45

My dads got a Dimension 8300.

Every month or so the computer won't boot up and displays "No fixed disk found".

I fix the problem be reseating the IDE cable and then the computer boots up fine.

I'm pretty sure its not the HD because I replaced it in June 2006.

Any idea whats causing this problem?

Fireskull · 24 Nov 2006 at 18:45

Thought did it only start happening after you replaced the HD?

neocon · 24 Nov 2006 at 19:06

It happened before, occasionally.

I thought i'd replace the HD to try and fix the problem.

I've read up on this subject and it happens frequently to Dell's. Apparently it could be

* failing HD
* currupted partitions
* dodgy IDE cable
* bad controller
* spy ware

I have no idea!

Fireskull · 24 Nov 2006 at 19:16

Have you got any spare IDE cables to try?

neocon · 24 Nov 2006 at 19:18

Fireskull said:
Have you got any spare IDE cables to try?

Good idea. Cheapest thing to try.

Minstadave · 24 Nov 2006 at 19:29

As said, certainly sounds like a dodgy cable.

Fireskull · 24 Nov 2006 at 19:33

neocon said:
Good idea. Cheapest thing to try.

Hehe yea cheapest and easiest

but yea sounds like a dodgy cable i had one years ago when i first got a rounded one only this year ive actually trusted to go back to them lolz

neocon · 24 Nov 2006 at 23:16

Could it be the IDE controller playing up?

Can motherboards break like that?

pcmedicni · 25 Nov 2006 at 02:03

neocon said:
Could it be the IDE controller playing up?

Can motherboards break like that?

Yep mobo's can break like that i've had 2 in the last couple of months do that,but that would be the last possible conclusion once you have tried everything else listed above.