HELP ! HD disappears sometimes

  • Thread starter Thread starter DP
  • Start date Start date
D

DP

Hi,

Who has got an idea to solve the below problem:

I'm trying to repair a PC from a colleague. The problem with this PC is
that every now and then the PC locks up and when rebooting the HD isn't
found by the bios. When you let the bios search automaticly for HD's it will
not find any. When you start the PC the next day and let the PC(bios) search
for HD's it WILL find the HD and you can then start the PC.
This occurs with Windows 98 installed as well as when Windows XP was
installed.
I checked all the cooler fans and they are all working.
I have changed the HD for a new one and that didn't solve it either.

I hope there is someone out there who has got a solution.

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
 
Hi,

Who has got an idea to solve the below problem:

I'm trying to repair a PC from a colleague. The problem with this PC is
that every now and then the PC locks up and when rebooting the HD isn't
found by the bios. When you let the bios search automaticly for HD's it will
not find any. When you start the PC the next day and let the PC(bios) search
for HD's it WILL find the HD and you can then start the PC.
This occurs with Windows 98 installed as well as when Windows XP was
installed.
I checked all the cooler fans and they are all working.
I have changed the HD for a new one and that didn't solve it either.

I hope there is someone out there who has got a solution.

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
Click to expand...

In the BIOS change from Auto to user on the Drive(Standard Section
usually) and then press the Enter key and save changes on exit.
Also check cables and if a UDMA 66 or higher that the correct 80 wire
40 pin cable has been used and that all the jumpers are correct and
secure as is the power connector.
THT :)



--
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It's a G not a J in jmx to reply :)
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Hi Shep©,

Thanks for your quick response.

In the bios the hd setting is user, cables are ok, jumpers are ok as well.
Do you have any other tips I could look into?

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
 
Hi Shep©,

Thanks for your quick response.

In the bios the hd setting is user, cables are ok, jumpers are ok as well.
Do you have any other tips I could look into?

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
Click to expand...

Pull power cord out and find and use the Clear CMOS jumper.If you
don't have the manual then install and run Aida32,
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32
and get the board info and search for the manual on the net.Usually in
a .pdf format.
And post board make and model number if you can't find it.
It's also possible that replacing the CMOS battery may cure it.






--
Free Windows/PC help,
It's a G not a J in jmx to reply :)
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
Free songs download,
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/nomessiahsmusic.htm
 
DP said:
Hi,

Who has got an idea to solve the below problem:

I'm trying to repair a PC from a colleague. The problem with this PC is
that every now and then the PC locks up and when rebooting the HD isn't
found by the bios. When you let the bios search automaticly for HD's it will
not find any. When you start the PC the next day and let the PC(bios) search
for HD's it WILL find the HD and you can then start the PC.
This occurs with Windows 98 installed as well as when Windows XP was
installed.
I checked all the cooler fans and they are all working.
I have changed the HD for a new one and that didn't solve it either.

I hope there is someone out there who has got a solution.

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
Click to expand...

Try changing to another molex HD power connector - check the cable for both
12v & 5v - within 5% tolerance.
 
Hi,

Who has got an idea to solve the below problem:

I'm trying to repair a PC from a colleague. The problem with this PC is
that every now and then the PC locks up and when rebooting the HD isn't
found by the bios. When you let the bios search automaticly for HD's it will
not find any. When you start the PC the next day and let the PC(bios) search
for HD's it WILL find the HD and you can then start the PC.
This occurs with Windows 98 installed as well as when Windows XP was
installed.
I checked all the cooler fans and they are all working.
I have changed the HD for a new one and that didn't solve it either.

I hope there is someone out there who has got a solution.

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
Click to expand...

If there is a setting in your BIOS to pause for "X" number of seconds
you might try increasing that number. A BIOS update might help.

Check your power supply voltage levels, with a voltage meter if you
have one else in the BIOS health page or with a windows motherboard
utility.

Although you've checked the cooling fans, have you checked the drives
themselves to see if they're running too hot? Touch-test them to see
how they feel... If you can't leave your hand on one comfortably,
indefinitely, it would benefit from more airflow.

Have you checked the cables for signs of wear, defect, etc, or perhaps
have a spare cable you could swap in to replace it?


Dave
 
Sounds like a thermal expansion problem (i.e., as the system warms up,
components expand). Reseat the memory sticks. Press down on every
socketed chip, like the BIOS chip. Reset the CPU if it is a slot1 type
(a ZIF socketed CPU shouldn't have this problem). Reseat all
daughercards. Reseat all cables (pull off, push back on) and all power
plugs. Basically you want to unplug and replug everything to ensure
they are fully seated (especially the AGP card which requires a bit more
push than PCI cards) and also wipe the contacts clean by the reseating.
If you have to leave the computer unpowered for hours before it will
redetect the drives, it sure sounds like a thermal problem.

Are the hard drives attached to IDE ports on the motherboard or to a
controller card in a PCI slot (i.e., daughtercard IDE controller).
Sometimes they do not reset properly when the BIOS issues a device reset
signal to all devices. You end up having to power cycle the machine
(but you shouldn't have to wait hours). I've had that problem with a
Promise Ultra100 controller card.

Do you have a temperature monitor utility? Although it only measures
the CPU temperature (unless your BIOS/motherboard supports other
sensors), it might indicate if things are getting hot inside. If this
utility also measures the voltages then monitor them. It is possible
the power supply is heating up and at sometime later doesn't regulate as
well and the voltages are off enough to cause a bootup problem when the
power supply is still hot. Have you tallied up your power consumption
from all power supply connected devices, including motherboard and
everything plugged into it, to see how close you are to the rated maxium
power output of the power supply? If it isn't an Antec, Forton,
Enermax, Zalman (and a few other top brands known to actually provided
their rated power output if not also a healthy reserve), the cheapy
power supplies stretch their ratings so you probably don't want to load
it more than 2/3 to 3/4 of its rated output.
 
DP said:
Hi,

Who has got an idea to solve the below problem:

I'm trying to repair a PC from a colleague. The problem with this PC is
that every now and then the PC locks up and when rebooting the HD isn't
found by the bios. When you let the bios search automaticly for HD's it will
not find any. When you start the PC the next day and let the PC(bios) search
for HD's it WILL find the HD and you can then start the PC.
This occurs with Windows 98 installed as well as when Windows XP was
installed.
I checked all the cooler fans and they are all working.
I have changed the HD for a new one and that didn't solve it either.

I hope there is someone out there who has got a solution.

Thanx in advance and with kind regards from the Netherlands,

Dirk Peter Bakker
Click to expand...
Hi Dirk
I had the exact same problem and it was an old psu, purchased a new one and
problem solved that is a windowsXP computer (the old psu is now in my
windows98se computer and still working ok).Regards Eric
 
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