HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes...

ElectricGigolo · 06-24-2009, 08:38 AM

Hello, I'm experiencing a weird issue with my home computer for several months now and don't know what's causing it. I hope someone here can help me figure out what's happening.

Before I begin, I would like you to know that I am a tech savvy person so I'm well versed with the technology and the jargon associated with it.

Several months ago my home computer, that I built myself back in 2002, started to run slowly. Multitasking was clunky, I.E. ran pages with Flash very slowly, music playing in the background would sound choppy while I switched between applications.

Also, the BIOS would NOT recognize the HDD after turning on the PC. The computer would go through the initial POST (S.M.A.R.T. tests all pass), but then the system would not find a boot drive.

I had to leave the computer on for around 2 - 3 minutes in that state (where it could not find a boot device) and then press the reset button. This reboot would make the BIOS "see" the HDD and then Windows XP SP3 boots up normally. I still continued to see the sluggishness in Windows.

Restarting the computer did not bring the problem back, it's only after a shut down is performed does the HDD recognition problem reoccur.

I figured it was time to reformat the HDD, as defrag. and diagnostics (scan disk, etc.) did not fix the problem. I also tried connecting the HDD to the secondary cable and also making it slave on the primary cable. No difference.

After reformatting the HDD and reinstalling my software, the problem remained.

I then bought a new HDD (WD 160gb WD1600AAJB uata-100 7200rpm 8mb) to replace the old one. The SAME EXACT symptoms still occur (no recognition of HDD in BIOS for first couple of minutes, sluggish performance after booting up successfully, etc.)

I have the latest firmware for my BIOS for my mobo: Gigabyte GA-7VRXP.

I also keep up to date with the latest and greatest drivers, patches, etc.

What could the problem be? Thanks in advance!

Dogg · 06-26-2009, 01:49 PM

I'd expect the controller on the MB is failing. If it were only occurring with one HDD, I'd suspect a failing HDD. But since the problem remains with the new drive, the only other thing in common is the MB.

Tumbleweed36 · 06-26-2009, 04:24 PM

Do you have the raid controller turned off? If not, it might be searching for a raid array during that time.

Any red or yellow marks in the device manager?

Did you load the chipset drivers when you formatted the drive?

ElectricGigolo · 06-26-2009, 06:24 PM

That's what I suspect. Is there a tool that you can recommend that tests a controller on the MB?

ElectricGigolo · 06-26-2009, 06:25 PM

RAID controller is turned off. No icons indicating a problem in Device Mgr. I have the VIA chipset drivers loaded.

Tumbleweed36 · 06-26-2009, 08:58 PM

Just searching, so bear with me and don't be offended with the simple questions.

What is the boot order in your bios setup menu?

What is your boot priority in there also?

Let's talk about the boot drive:

>It is an IDE drive (or at least I thought that was what you said)

>Where is it on the ribbon cable? (middle or end connector)

>What else is on that ribbon cable? (what kind of drive if any)(If none, I need to know that)

>How are the jumpers set on the other drive on there?

>What jumpers do you have on that drive or how is it set?

>Have you tried Data Lifeguard on this drive to make sure it is a viable known good drive?

ElectricGigolo · 06-30-2009, 04:40 PM

What is the boot order in your bios setup menu?

Primary HDD is the first in the boot order. However, this gets "reset" as the BIOS initially doesn't see the HDD after about 1.5 - 2 minutes after boot up.

What is your boot priority in there also?

Primary HDD is the priority

Let's talk about the boot drive:

>It is an IDE drive (or at least I thought that was what you said)

IDE (PATA cable)

>Where is it on the ribbon cable? (middle or end connector)

End connector. I tired the middle, no improvement. The connector has a pretty sharp bend to it. But I would figure it would be all or nothing if the cable was broken.

>What else is on that ribbon cable? (what kind of drive if any)(If none, I need to know that)

No other drives on the connector.

>How are the jumpers set on the other drive on there?

No other drive on the cable. Other cable, secondary, has a master DVD-ROM drive.

>What jumpers do you have on that drive or how is it set?

The boot drive was set to cable select. I moved it to Master, no improvement.

>Have you tried Data Lifeguard on this drive to make sure it is a viable known good drive?

It's a brand new hard drive.

Tumbleweed36 · 06-30-2009, 05:43 PM

Western Digital drive, alone on a ribbon cable....Remove all jumpers and put it on the end of the ribbon cable and make sure you are using an 80 connector cable. (Blue, Gray, Black on end). Give that a try.

ElectricGigolo · 07-03-2009, 08:02 AM

The cable uses a black connector.

After removing the jumper, the situtation stayed the same.

Maybe it's the HDD controller on the motherboard?

Tumbleweed36 · 07-03-2009, 08:07 AM

Are you certain you have an 80 connector cable? If so, it should be several colors, normally Blue to motherboard, gray to middle connector, and black to the end connector. If not an 80 connector cable (they look almost the same except for the color coding), then it most likely won't work on a 40 connector cable. Regardless, might be worth swapping a known good cable in there to try.

Any red or yellow marks in the device manager?

**raptor_pa** · 07-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Even though it is a new drive, it wouldn't hurt to run lifeguard diags just to verify, with current pricing on HDs being so low, bad out of box is not all that unusual. Since the symptoms seem to be the same with both old and new drives, it may well be the controller on the mobo, but running the diags will eliminate (hopefully) the drive as culprit.

06-24-2009, 08:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
ElectricGigolo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP SP3 My System	HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Hello, I'm experiencing a weird issue with my home computer for several months now and don't know what's causing it. I hope someone here can help me figure out what's happening. Before I begin, I would like you to know that I am a tech savvy person so I'm well versed with the technology and the jargon associated with it. Several months ago my home computer, that I built myself back in 2002, started to run slowly. Multitasking was clunky, I.E. ran pages with Flash very slowly, music playing in the background would sound choppy while I switched between applications. Also, the BIOS would NOT recognize the HDD after turning on the PC. The computer would go through the initial POST (S.M.A.R.T. tests all pass), but then the system would not find a boot drive. I had to leave the computer on for around 2 - 3 minutes in that state (where it could not find a boot device) and then press the reset button. This reboot would make the BIOS "see" the HDD and then Windows XP SP3 boots up normally. I still continued to see the sluggishness in Windows. Restarting the computer did not bring the problem back, it's only after a shut down is performed does the HDD recognition problem reoccur. I figured it was time to reformat the HDD, as defrag. and diagnostics (scan disk, etc.) did not fix the problem. I also tried connecting the HDD to the secondary cable and also making it slave on the primary cable. No difference. After reformatting the HDD and reinstalling my software, the problem remained. I then bought a new HDD (WD 160gb WD1600AAJB uata-100 7200rpm 8mb) to replace the old one. The SAME EXACT symptoms still occur (no recognition of HDD in BIOS for first couple of minutes, sluggish performance after booting up successfully, etc.) I have the latest firmware for my BIOS for my mobo: Gigabyte GA-7VRXP. I also keep up to date with the latest and greatest drivers, patches, etc. What could the problem be? Thanks in advance! Last edited by ElectricGigolo; 06-24-2009 at 08:39 AM. Reason: Grammar / Spelling errors...

06-26-2009, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... I'd expect the controller on the MB is failing. If it were only occurring with one HDD, I'd suspect a failing HDD. But since the problem remains with the new drive, the only other thing in common is the MB.

06-26-2009, 04:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,618 OS: XP Professional	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Do you have the raid controller turned off? If not, it might be searching for a raid array during that time. Any red or yellow marks in the device manager? Did you load the chipset drivers when you formatted the drive? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

06-26-2009, 06:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
ElectricGigolo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... That's what I suspect. Is there a tool that you can recommend that tests a controller on the MB?

06-26-2009, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
ElectricGigolo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... RAID controller is turned off. No icons indicating a problem in Device Mgr. I have the VIA chipset drivers loaded.

06-26-2009, 08:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,618 OS: XP Professional	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Just searching, so bear with me and don't be offended with the simple questions. What is the boot order in your bios setup menu? What is your boot priority in there also? Let's talk about the boot drive: >It is an IDE drive (or at least I thought that was what you said) >Where is it on the ribbon cable? (middle or end connector) >What else is on that ribbon cable? (what kind of drive if any)(If none, I need to know that) >How are the jumpers set on the other drive on there? >What jumpers do you have on that drive or how is it set? >Have you tried Data Lifeguard on this drive to make sure it is a viable known good drive? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 06-26-2009 at 09:00 PM.

06-30-2009, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
ElectricGigolo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... What is the boot order in your bios setup menu? Primary HDD is the first in the boot order. However, this gets "reset" as the BIOS initially doesn't see the HDD after about 1.5 - 2 minutes after boot up. What is your boot priority in there also? Primary HDD is the priority Let's talk about the boot drive: >It is an IDE drive (or at least I thought that was what you said) IDE (PATA cable) >Where is it on the ribbon cable? (middle or end connector) End connector. I tired the middle, no improvement. The connector has a pretty sharp bend to it. But I would figure it would be all or nothing if the cable was broken. >What else is on that ribbon cable? (what kind of drive if any)(If none, I need to know that) No other drives on the connector. >How are the jumpers set on the other drive on there? No other drive on the cable. Other cable, secondary, has a master DVD-ROM drive. >What jumpers do you have on that drive or how is it set? The boot drive was set to cable select. I moved it to Master, no improvement. >Have you tried Data Lifeguard on this drive to make sure it is a viable known good drive? It's a brand new hard drive.

06-30-2009, 05:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,618 OS: XP Professional	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Western Digital drive, alone on a ribbon cable....Remove all jumpers and put it on the end of the ribbon cable and make sure you are using an 80 connector cable. (Blue, Gray, Black on end). Give that a try. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-03-2009, 08:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
ElectricGigolo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... The cable uses a black connector. After removing the jumper, the situtation stayed the same. Maybe it's the HDD controller on the motherboard?

07-03-2009, 08:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,618 OS: XP Professional	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Are you certain you have an 80 connector cable? If so, it should be several colors, normally Blue to motherboard, gray to middle connector, and black to the end connector. If not an 80 connector cable (they look almost the same except for the color coding), then it most likely won't work on a 40 connector cable. Regardless, might be worth swapping a known good cable in there to try. Any red or yellow marks in the device manager? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-03-2009, 08:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,753 OS: XP	Re: HDD not recognized for first couple of minutes... Even though it is a new drive, it wouldn't hurt to run lifeguard diags just to verify, with current pricing on HDs being so low, bad out of box is not all that unusual. Since the symptoms seem to be the same with both old and new drives, it may well be the controller on the mobo, but running the diags will eliminate (hopefully) the drive as culprit. __________________