Hardrive not detected

BWhit89 · 04-24-2008, 09:53 PM

I have tried partitioning my hard drive separately, i've try to install an os and i've even gone into my bios. My hard drive isn't detected anywhere. Why does my bios say that my hard drive is an unknown device? and why can't i install an os on it???

johnhook · 04-25-2008, 01:53 AM

BWhit89,

There are a few reasons why you're hard drive is not recognized:

1) Your motherboard's BIOS is too old to handle your hard drive.

2) You hard drive is cabled or configured improperly (master, slave, CS, etc) or you have a defective cable between the MB and hard drive.

3) Your hard drive isn't connected to a working power source

4) Your hard drive is DEAD so the PC can't see it

5) There's another conflicting device on your controller that is preventing your MB's controller from identifying your Hard Drive.

6) Your BIOS settings are messed up - HD controller disabled or incorrectly configured or set to an invalid access mode.

7) There's a hardware problem with your motherboard's HD controller.

Please give more information - MB make/model, hard drive make/model, settings, BIOS settings, etc.

- John

04-24-2008, 09:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
BWhit89 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: Windows XP HE	Hardrive not detected I have tried partitioning my hard drive separately, i've try to install an os and i've even gone into my bios. My hard drive isn't detected anywhere. Why does my bios say that my hard drive is an unknown device? and why can't i install an os on it???

04-25-2008, 01:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Hardrive not detected BWhit89, There are a few reasons why you're hard drive is not recognized: 1) Your motherboard's BIOS is too old to handle your hard drive. 2) You hard drive is cabled or configured improperly (master, slave, CS, etc) or you have a defective cable between the MB and hard drive. 3) Your hard drive isn't connected to a working power source 4) Your hard drive is DEAD so the PC can't see it 5) There's another conflicting device on your controller that is preventing your MB's controller from identifying your Hard Drive. 6) Your BIOS settings are messed up - HD controller disabled or incorrectly configured or set to an invalid access mode. 7) There's a hardware problem with your motherboard's HD controller. Please give more information - MB make/model, hard drive make/model, settings, BIOS settings, etc. - John