Hardrive Error.

Coyle.Michael · 07-06-2009, 08:51 AM

Im using a Dell Inspiron 1520 Laptop with Visa uptodate installed on it. However The Physical drive no longer shows up under "Computer" or anywhere else I can think to look for that matter, I use two virtual drives on occasion when playing games or using applications that require disks and these are still working as intended.

Nothing else out of the blue has happened with the laptop although I am also waiting feedback on a Wireless adaptor issue but Im assuming these are not related.

Thanks.

dai · 07-06-2009, 08:55 AM

the virtual drives may be causing the problem

Coyle.Michael · 07-06-2009, 09:25 AM

Ive tried removing them completly and it didnt make any differance at all, the issue poped up awhile before I first looked into the virtual after the Physical drive dissapeared.

dai · 07-06-2009, 09:42 AM

can you see the drive listed in the bios

Coyle.Michael · 07-06-2009, 09:48 AM

No its not even in there :/

If it makes any differance the button on the side is not responding either even though the green light is on.

dai · 07-06-2009, 10:02 AM

are you referring to the the light on the cd /dvd drive

try removing the filters

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461

Coyle.Michael · 07-06-2009, 10:20 AM

removed both upper and lower filters as instructed to and nothing has changed.

Coyle.Michael · 07-06-2009, 10:22 AM

Actually it has decided to open although there is still nothing showing under the compter tab, I can see my OS Hard Drive and my Reovery Drive and nothing else. I tried putting in a music CD I know used to work and nothing has happened, I drive isn't making any noise as if its reading the disk and I will not open again.

dai · 07-06-2009, 06:40 PM

it may be dirty contacts on the drive,try removing and putting it back

it may be time to replace it

Coyle.Michael · 07-07-2009, 07:18 AM

Being that its a laptop and I have no idea at all where to begin with taking it apart could you point me towards resonable information as to doing this?

I'm very familiar with the inside of a desktop but with a laptop I am in the dark im afraid.

dai · 07-07-2009, 09:08 AM

i am not much better on laptops

i think you remove 1 or 2 screws and it slides out

you will find a manual on the d/load page for your laptop at dell

07-06-2009, 08:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	Hardrive Error. Im using a Dell Inspiron 1520 Laptop with Visa uptodate installed on it. However The Physical drive no longer shows up under "Computer" or anywhere else I can think to look for that matter, I use two virtual drives on occasion when playing games or using applications that require disks and these are still working as intended. Nothing else out of the blue has happened with the laptop although I am also waiting feedback on a Wireless adaptor issue but Im assuming these are not related. Thanks.

07-06-2009, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,784 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Hardrive Error. the virtual drives may be causing the problem __________________

07-06-2009, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	Re: Hardrive Error. Ive tried removing them completly and it didnt make any differance at all, the issue poped up awhile before I first looked into the virtual after the Physical drive dissapeared. Last edited by Coyle.Michael; 07-06-2009 at 09:30 AM.

07-06-2009, 09:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,784 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Hardrive Error. can you see the drive listed in the bios __________________

07-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	No its not even in there :/ If it makes any differance the button on the side is not responding either even though the green light is on. Last edited by dai; 07-06-2009 at 10:03 AM.

07-06-2009, 10:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,784 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Hardrive Error. are you referring to the the light on the cd /dvd drive try removing the filters http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461 __________________

07-06-2009, 10:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	Re: Hardrive Error. removed both upper and lower filters as instructed to and nothing has changed.

07-06-2009, 10:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	Re: Hardrive Error. Actually it has decided to open although there is still nothing showing under the compter tab, I can see my OS Hard Drive and my Reovery Drive and nothing else. I tried putting in a music CD I know used to work and nothing has happened, I drive isn't making any noise as if its reading the disk and I will not open again.

07-06-2009, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,784 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Hardrive Error. it may be dirty contacts on the drive,try removing and putting it back it may be time to replace it __________________

07-07-2009, 07:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
Coyle.Michael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Vista SP 1	Re: Hardrive Error. Being that its a laptop and I have no idea at all where to begin with taking it apart could you point me towards resonable information as to doing this? I'm very familiar with the inside of a desktop but with a laptop I am in the dark im afraid.

07-07-2009, 09:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,784 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Hardrive Error. i am not much better on laptops i think you remove 1 or 2 screws and it slides out you will find a manual on the d/load page for your laptop at dell __________________