Let's Backtrack.What was the last known incident of using the drive when it did work? What has changed in the meantime?
It could be as simple as a loose connection(power OR IDE).Have there been any jumper changes to the drive?Did you move the computer? Make sure all connections to the HDD are secure.
Eliminate those possibilities, then think about the configuration in the BIOS. Did you change any settings in the BIOS?Have you had anyone do any tweaking before you noticed the problem?
If the previous stuff is ok, then go into the BIOS at bootup...You'll have to look real fast,maybe hit the PAUSE button to read this. Mine says to change configuration ,press DEL...and it only gives you a short time to do so.
Once you are in the bios,You'll have to go screen to screen to find "Drive properties".
If that screen doesn't show you your Hard Drive(s), reset the one that's not working to auto. Reboot.
If that doesn't do it,look on the drive for the following settings"Cyls,Heads,Sectors".Enter those manually in that Hard Drive page....choose for settings "User" and enter them. If you aren't sure of the "Cyls,Heads,Sectors", go to the manufacturer's website and find the model # of the drive, it will give you the proper info.
One strange thing...when you enter this stuff,it will ask you if you want to save these settings...when you type in 'Y' for yes, usually the numbers you entered will change.Don't worry about that, the Bios is transforming those numbers into it's own parameters.
There will be another page in which it will ask you if you want to change settings,enter 'y' for yes, and it should boot.
If it doesn't work,get out the Motherboard Manual and look around in there.As long as your drive is spinning up,(without weird noises) chances are it is good, and you have a minor problem.
good luck.
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