[SOLVED] Can't detect my hard drive

zsuper · 12-20-2008, 02:45 AM

So, I bought a new PC from Cybertron for Christmas. The specs can be seen here: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...=ITD&body=MAIN

It came clean, nothing installed. I just went to install Windows Vista, and it decided that I don't have a hard drive.
So, I restarted and went to the BIOS. It doesn't think I have a hard drive, either.

My instinct now is to open the box up and make sure they actually gave me a hard drive, but that requires unscrewing the box, and I'm very much afraid of voiding my warranty.

Any ideas?

On a side note, the exact brand of the hard drive I'm supposed to have is unknown; they didn't tell me.

**BCCOMP** · 12-20-2008, 03:25 AM

Hi,
From the looks of this tower you maybe able to see the HD (if installed) from the side of the Tower.
Look through the side of the tower. The HD Bays are right behind your front fan.

Opening up the side panel should not void your warranty.
It may also be listed on your invoice.
Bill

zsuper · 12-20-2008, 03:39 AM

Thanks. Yes, it looks like the drive is there. The first place I checked was the invoice, but it didn't list a specific manufacturer.

**BCCOMP** · 12-20-2008, 03:41 AM

Check the connections to the drive. One may have come loose during shipping.
Bill

zsuper · 12-20-2008, 03:44 AM

Unfortunately, I can't see well enough due to the fan blocking it, and I don't have any tools (i.e. screwdriver, flashlight) here to check. I'll have to run out and get some in the morning.

I was mainly just wondering if there was some simple trick I might have been missing; I'll get back to you once I can get inside to have a look.

**BCCOMP** · 12-20-2008, 03:50 AM

Hi,
If you do not see it in the BIOS. Then the drive connections maybe at fault.
You should only have to remove the side cover to gain access to the HD and connections. Be sure to unplug the power cord and touch an unpainted part of the tower to release static electricity.
Bill

zsuper · 12-20-2008, 01:58 PM

It turns out the connection did come lose. Thanks!

Getting the case open to find out was a bit of a challenge. :(

**BCCOMP** · 12-20-2008, 02:13 PM

I am glad to hear that the connection was all it was.
I will mark the tread as solved. If need be just post to the tread and I will respond.
Thanks,
Bill

12-20-2008, 02:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
zsuper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	[SOLVED] Can't detect my hard drive So, I bought a new PC from Cybertron for Christmas. The specs can be seen here: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...=ITD&body=MAIN It came clean, nothing installed. I just went to install Windows Vista, and it decided that I don't have a hard drive. So, I restarted and went to the BIOS. It doesn't think I have a hard drive, either. My instinct now is to open the box up and make sure they actually gave me a hard drive, but that requires unscrewing the box, and I'm very much afraid of voiding my warranty. Any ideas? On a side note, the exact brand of the hard drive I'm supposed to have is unknown; they didn't tell me.

12-20-2008, 03:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 6,973 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Can't detect my hard drive Hi, From the looks of this tower you maybe able to see the HD (if installed) from the side of the Tower. Look through the side of the tower. The HD Bays are right behind your front fan. Opening up the side panel should not void your warranty. It may also be listed on your invoice. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan Last edited by BCCOMP; 12-20-2008 at 03:26 AM.

12-20-2008, 03:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
zsuper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	Re: Can't detect my hard drive Thanks. Yes, it looks like the drive is there. The first place I checked was the invoice, but it didn't list a specific manufacturer.

12-20-2008, 03:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 6,973 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Can't detect my hard drive Check the connections to the drive. One may have come loose during shipping. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

12-20-2008, 03:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
zsuper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	Re: Can't detect my hard drive Unfortunately, I can't see well enough due to the fan blocking it, and I don't have any tools (i.e. screwdriver, flashlight) here to check. I'll have to run out and get some in the morning. I was mainly just wondering if there was some simple trick I might have been missing; I'll get back to you once I can get inside to have a look.

12-20-2008, 03:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 6,973 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Can't detect my hard drive Hi, If you do not see it in the BIOS. Then the drive connections maybe at fault. You should only have to remove the side cover to gain access to the HD and connections. Be sure to unplug the power cord and touch an unpainted part of the tower to release static electricity. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

12-20-2008, 01:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
zsuper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	Re: Can't detect my hard drive It turns out the connection did come lose. Thanks! Getting the case open to find out was a bit of a challenge. :(

12-20-2008, 02:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 6,973 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Can't detect my hard drive I am glad to hear that the connection was all it was. I will mark the tread as solved. If need be just post to the tread and I will respond. Thanks, Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan