My computer won't detect drives :( Any ideas ?

alison74

I have had various problems with my computer over the last few weeks, mainly an NLTDR problem that was supposedly fixed, but then it happened again.

My comp has been in at the repair shop for a week now as the owner does not know how to fix it

He says when he turns it on, that sometimes the computer does not detect the C: (which windows is on) OR it does detect the C: and not the other drive (D: where I keep all my pics and videos etc)

I have 2 hard drives in the comp for the reason if the C: failed, my music etc would be unaffected on the

He has tried setting up the motherboard various ways and can get the C: to be detected on the initial screen and not the but when going in through windows, the is there - it's just not showing up on the initial screen.

He has basically said that he cannot fix it any more as he has tried everything, but I am not convinced.

I would like some ideas from my techie MSE'rs as the shop's solution is to buy a new computer, but convieniantly my spec on my comp is not compatible with new hardware (it's only 18 months old) so I would need a whole new system and hard drives even though my 2 are working fine (and have all my data on it !!)

Sorry if this only makes a bit of sense or if I have got things a little mixed up but I am not techie minded but have learnt a lot this last month with all the problems I have been having !

Thanks in advance - I may be a little slow in replying since I now have to come out to the internet cafe etc to check - but ANY possibilities would be greatly received.


Thanks in advance


P.S Meant to say that he won't give me it back in it's current state as he says that a little problem like this can snowball into something big if I used it and was going into the manually every time (don't know if this is the truth either)

Soulistic

Have you tried configuring the BIOS correctly? I have had a problem of this kind, and it has been because the RAID setup in my bios was incorrect. Mind you, this was for 2 IDE hard drives and 2 SATA hard drives.

If your hard drives are both IDE hard drives, and connected in parallel, it should pick up automatically in the bios. But, i would recommend just looking over the BIOS to make sure that there isn't anything funny happening there.

insane

hi alison 74 try out this site i have used it in the past and found it very helpful and it is free https://www.gadgetdetective.com put up a post or check out faqs covers everything electrical and techie, good luck

bingo_bango

Just further to that. There may be an incompatibility issue with a driver loaded recently? Have you installed any new hardware lately? Although I doubt very much this is actually the case.
Could be as simple as a failing PSU. This would be operating on reduced power, and would probably only allow enough power to be supplied to one HDD at a time. May be time for an upgrade that way. (Maplins have an X-Power 450W PSU on sale at the moment. 1/2 price @ £19.99).

BillScarab

If your computer is only 18 months old I would be amazed if your hard drives are incompatible. IDE drives drives should work in just about any PC and SATA drives should work in most recent machines.

Do you know any more details, e.g. are the drives IDE or SATA or a mix ? What make/model of PC is it?

If he can't fix it I'd ask for it back then someone here may be able to help if you have it in front of you, alternatively you could take it somewhere else to get it looked at.

startrekker

Unplug the d drive first and boot the pc up, just to see if there is an issue with both drives not liking each other. Could be a conflict if they are on the same ide channel, that is both connected by the same ide cable. If it boots up fine and works this is your problem. You would need to connect the other drive on another channel, possible the same one as your dvd writer(presume you have one).

Little_John

It sounds like either one of the drives is failing or the drive controler is failing. My indications would point to the controler which would result in a new motherboard required.
It is possible that your existing CPU and less likley memory are not compatible. with a new board but it is still possible to buy board from about 18 month ago so it sounds like he is trying to flog you a new system. the only thing that could totally screw you up is if the pc is a branded one as some manufactureres use bespoke motherboards in their pc's that can only be bought from the manufacturer.

If you are reasonable local to me I will come and have a look.

alison74

Thanks for your replies.

The guy has temporarily fixed it - by wiring up the motherboard a certain way but says it's unstable.

I got it back yesterday and have been up half the night making sure that I have backed everything up right (inlcluding complete itunes collection which took AGES) and updated my ipod etc.

Photos were backed up already - have saved my favourites aswell.

I am scared to turn it off as when it was in the shop it only booted up once in every few times.

He did not charge me for anything (as I originally paid for it to be fixed weeks ago and have had to take it back 3 times) and I only need it to work for another 3 weeks as I am off travelling (but I would like it to last forever !!)

Apparently the sockets from my drives are not compatible with new software

It boots up differently than it did before with now a long pause as it says 'booting from CD' on the screen.

What a stressful time.

I will print off the solutions that people suggested so if it happens again (please no) I will politely tell the guy in the shop to consider them !

Thanks again - Alison

startrekker

Mmmmm glad its half sorted for you , cant ever remember a socket issue with software, wonder how he wired it up, Does sound an ide cable issue . Oh well, enjoy your travells and when you get back, find another repair shop..

billywhizz

alison74 wrote:

Apparently the sockets from my drives are not compatible with new software

Good Grief, where did you take it to get repaired? An 18 month old PC should be fine I'm not convinced the repair shop has the best idea what to do!

alison74

billywhizz wrote:

Good Grief, where did you take it to get repaired? An 18 month old PC should be fine I'm not convinced the repair shop has the best idea what to do!

That's what I thought !! The place where I got the computer from shut down a couple of months after I got it so maybe they gave me old stock (and not being computer minded I didn't know any different) That's why I couldn't take it back there.

I even went for a 'local' buyer to help out the smaller shops in the city (Edinburgh) and stay away from PC World etc.

The repair shop also does sales and has been running for 8 years but was further away from my house than the place I bought it from.

Who knows what is going on - but I know I have a sore head trying to make sense of it all