wiseleo

Tell me if when you go into BIOS that Maxtor is recognized by something other than 6Y160P0. Perhaps it says CALYPSO? ;)

If that is the case, I suspect firmware damage. Relatively easy to fix with the right equipment, but impossible otherwise.

Of course, it can be something more benign. Go into BIOS and check what it says. Then make the CD from a post I mention in my signature and boot from it. See how it detects the drive. That would eliminate Windows glitches.