Did Dell get lazy or could the hdd really be bad?

[timswim78]

My friend's dell laptop gave an error message that said something like, "Hard Disk Not Found, Optical Drive Not Found." Because it is under warranty, we called Dell, and they walked us through removing the hdd, resetting the BIOS, removing the DVD drive, resetting the BIOS. At each step, when the laptop would boot the same error message would come up. To me, it seems like the problem was with the controller and not the hdd, because the error message was the same, even when the hdd was out and the DVD was in.

So, the tech guy told us to send in the laptop and we did. Two days later Dell sent a note that said that they had performed extensive testing such as resetting the BIOS (very extensive testing) and determined that the hdd must be the problem. Unfortunately, they did not have a hdd on hand and would be sending one out shortly. They also said nothing about testing the hdd. Sounds like BS to me. What do you think?

 

[johnjkr1]

I worked at Dell, and let me tell you, they have gone downhill since then. Ok, first of all, with the hard drive out and the dvd drive in, you should NOT get an optical drive error. The hard drive is out, so even if it is bad, how can it cause the problem??? They are giving you a bunch of BS, feel free to aim or pm me if you want some extra help on what to say to them or to find out what your real problem is.

 

[LiLithTecH]

It could be a bad HD.

The HD and Optical drive share the same IDE Channel. (HD=Master, Optical=Slave)
Without the HD installed, you would recieve the error if you did not change the
Boot order in the BIOS (Dell techs will always promote Flashing the BIOS for no reason).

You didn't state which model (Inspirion or Latitude), but I have run into a few older models with weak
module Bay latch springs that hold enough to secure the drive in, but have a flakey connection.
Replacing the springs always solved the problem (with non-Dell springs of course).

Pretty funny that the Tech said that after extensive testing that the HD 'MUST BE THE PROBLEM'.
Sure glad he was so sure of his testing abilities.....