Defective hard drive?

[Atls]

So I built a new computer today, but I failed to install Windows on it. It kept giving me an error and never asked to install OS or boot from disc, but my other hard drive worked fine.

So now I'm using my old hard drive. My NEW one isn't detected in the BIOS or in "my computer". I connected the cables properly. I set the BIOS Sata thing to 'auto', but no dice.

Is the HDD defective, or do I have to "prepare" the new Caviar Black before use?

-Caviar Black 640GB
-Gigabyte P55A-UD3
-i5-760

 

[jez006]

I assume you've done a clean install of windows before? Just in case you missed something try these steps:

1. Unplug all hard drives except your windows boot drive
2. In the bios change the boot order to the cd drive first
3. Put the windows disk in the cd tray and restart
4. When prompted press any key to boot from the CD
5. Hopefully your hard drive shows
6. Click clean install and let it run

Which version of windows are you installing? I vaguely remember XP needing sata drivers..but that may be windows 2000.

Hope this helps,

Jez

 

[Atls]

I assume you've done a clean install of windows before? Just in case you missed something try these steps:

1. Unplug all hard drives except your windows boot drive
2. In the bios change the boot order to the cd drive first
3. Put the windows disk in the cd tray and restart
4. When prompted press any key to boot from the CD
5. Hopefully your hard drive shows
6. Click clean install and let it run

Which version of windows are you installing? I vaguely remember XP needing sata drivers..but that may be windows 2000.

Hope this helps,

Jez

Windows 7.

a) I can't do a clean install of Windows, because I don't have the option to boot from the cd! It gives me an error.

b) The only reason I actually have Windows, is because I'm using my old hard drive which has had it for a while.

c) I've tried changing the boot order, but it didn't work.

d) My new HDD isn't detected in BIOS or through Windows, and I can't install Windows on it.

 

[jez006]

Hmmmm. This may be beyond me..

Have you used that windows disc before? Is it a dodgy copy?

When you saying changing the boot order didn't work, what exactly do you mean? Did you get as far as "Press any key to boot from cd"?

So your new hdd doesn't show in disk management in windows? (right click "computer" -> "manage" -> "disk management")

You might have to wait for help from others ..I'm about to go to bed it's almost 6am here sorry!

 

[Atls]

I have used the Windows copy today, and it works. I can not get the "press any key to boot" message, but instead I get an error message.

And no, the HDD doesn't show up in disk management either.

 

[FishAk]

If the disk is not detected in BIOS, it is most likely dead. Try swapping ports with your known working disk to verify. If you have a USB enclosure, you could try connecting the disk that way.