[SOLVED] HDD power/boot issue

vancardboardbox · 03-20-2008, 01:35 PM

System is a home build, EVGA 610i mobo, Intel Dual Core CPU, two SATA and two IDE HDDs. O/S is XP Pro, installed on one of the SATAs.

Attempted to add a third SATA HDD (new WD Cav 500GB) but the system would not post with power connected to the new drive. Fans spin up and lights illuminate for one second, then power-down. Happens whether or not the data cable is connected to the new drive or not.

Tried disabling other HDs in various combinations. It wasn't until only the OS drive and the new one were powered that the machine would post, and only after several tries. Once booted, Partition Magic correctly identified the new drive and appeared to create and format a partition. After powering down for a restart, however, the system once again refused to post. Disconnected the power to the WD and booted up with no problems. System was never again able to post with the WD powered.

Popped in a 160GB Seagate IDE in place of the failed WD - started up no problem.

I assume that the WD is just a bad drive (would not work in an enclosure either) so have arranged to have a replacement shipped to me. Anyone else ever seen this behaviour before? New one to me.

Many Thanks.

**Deleted090308** · 03-21-2008, 09:06 AM

Hi, welcome to TSF.

Yes, it could be a bad HDD.

Also - it sounds like your computer might be underpowered.

Please post the system specifications, including PSU.
You can use this script to obtain the specs:
Download " TSFdemo1" file, unpack and run it.

In "Tech Support Forum Hardware Reader" >> click "Copy to clipboard" >> paste the info in your next post.

The power supply info can be found on a label inside the case.

~~Computer_Doctor~~ · 03-21-2008, 05:02 PM

To make sure that the hdd is bad you can try testing it out with a program called "powermax".

**Deleted090308** · 03-21-2008, 05:12 PM

It's better to use the manufacturer's tools - in this case WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic Tools.

But, I believe the drive has been returned.

vancardboardbox · 03-21-2008, 10:14 PM

Here are the specs:

OpSys: Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Service Pack 2.0
Motherboard: NVIDIA MCP73 (Version 2 )
CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz (Clock Speed 2000 )
CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz (Clock Speed 2000 )
RAM: 1981MB
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
Sound: Realtek High Definition Audio
Sound: Mia
MODEM: Not Reported
Drive: Hitachi HDS721616PLA380 (Size ~149 GB)
Drive: ST3160815AS (Size ~149 GB)
Drive: ST3160815A (Size ~149 GB)
Drive: ST332062 0A SCSI Disk Device (Size ~298 GB)
Drive: WDC WD12 00JB-00GVA0 SCSI Disk Device (Size ~112 GB)
Optical Drive: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D
Power Supply: Ultra 350W

The system works just fine under the above conditions.

The reason I do not believe this is a power supply issue is that the problem persisted with everything but my OS drive and the bad WD 500GB powered. Furthermore I could not get it to work in an enclosure. I'm inclined to think this was just a bad drive. It has been returned and we'll see what happens when I install the replacement once its delivered. Replacement is the exact same model.

Just never known a PC respond to a drive this way.

**Deleted090308** · 03-22-2008, 04:44 AM

Thanks.
I agree - probably a bad HDD. (but I wouldn't trust that PSU)

Please keep us updated.

vancardboardbox · 03-26-2008, 08:31 PM

Turns out it was just a bad drive. The replacement WD 500GB installed without any issues and the system is purring along.

I've never before seen a bad drive not allow a system to post merely by having power connected to it. Live and learn.

Thanks for responses. Great forum.

03-20-2008, 01:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
vancardboardbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	[SOLVED] HDD power/boot issue System is a home build, EVGA 610i mobo, Intel Dual Core CPU, two SATA and two IDE HDDs. O/S is XP Pro, installed on one of the SATAs. Attempted to add a third SATA HDD (new WD Cav 500GB) but the system would not post with power connected to the new drive. Fans spin up and lights illuminate for one second, then power-down. Happens whether or not the data cable is connected to the new drive or not. Tried disabling other HDs in various combinations. It wasn't until only the OS drive and the new one were powered that the machine would post, and only after several tries. Once booted, Partition Magic correctly identified the new drive and appeared to create and format a partition. After powering down for a restart, however, the system once again refused to post. Disconnected the power to the WD and booted up with no problems. System was never again able to post with the WD powered. Popped in a 160GB Seagate IDE in place of the failed WD - started up no problem. I assume that the WD is just a bad drive (would not work in an enclosure either) so have arranged to have a replacement shipped to me. Anyone else ever seen this behaviour before? New one to me. Many Thanks.

03-21-2008, 09:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: HDD power/boot issue Hi, welcome to TSF. Yes, it could be a bad HDD. Also - it sounds like your computer might be underpowered. Please post the system specifications, including PSU. You can use this script to obtain the specs: Download " TSFdemo1" file, unpack and run it. In "Tech Support Forum Hardware Reader" >> click "Copy to clipboard" >> paste the info in your next post. The power supply info can be found on a label inside the case.

03-21-2008, 05:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~Computer_Doctor~~ Troubled Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 644 OS: Windows XP	Re: HDD power/boot issue To make sure that the hdd is bad you can try testing it out with a program called "powermax".

03-21-2008, 05:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: HDD power/boot issue It's better to use the manufacturer's tools - in this case WD's Data Lifeguard Diagnostic Tools. But, I believe the drive has been returned.

03-21-2008, 10:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
vancardboardbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: HDD power/boot issue Here are the specs: OpSys: Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Service Pack 2.0 Motherboard: NVIDIA MCP73 (Version 2 ) CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz (Clock Speed 2000 ) CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz (Clock Speed 2000 ) RAM: 1981MB Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i Sound: Realtek High Definition Audio Sound: Mia MODEM: Not Reported Drive: Hitachi HDS721616PLA380 (Size ~149 GB) Drive: ST3160815AS (Size ~149 GB) Drive: ST3160815A (Size ~149 GB) Drive: ST332062 0A SCSI Disk Device (Size ~298 GB) Drive: WDC WD12 00JB-00GVA0 SCSI Disk Device (Size ~112 GB) Optical Drive: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D Power Supply: Ultra 350W The system works just fine under the above conditions. The reason I do not believe this is a power supply issue is that the problem persisted with everything but my OS drive and the bad WD 500GB powered. Furthermore I could not get it to work in an enclosure. I'm inclined to think this was just a bad drive. It has been returned and we'll see what happens when I install the replacement once its delivered. Replacement is the exact same model. Just never known a PC respond to a drive this way. Last edited by vancardboardbox; 03-21-2008 at 10:19 PM.

03-22-2008, 04:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: HDD power/boot issue Thanks. I agree - probably a bad HDD. (but I wouldn't trust that PSU) Please keep us updated.

03-26-2008, 08:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
vancardboardbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: [SOLVED] HDD power/boot issue Turns out it was just a bad drive. The replacement WD 500GB installed without any issues and the system is purring along. I've never before seen a bad drive not allow a system to post merely by having power connected to it. Live and learn. Thanks for responses. Great forum.