HDD issues

[KingofFah]

My sister told me her computer no longer worked, and I figured it was the hard drive. She brought the hard drive to me, and now the goal is to just get some files off it. Now, I generally have no problems getting any files or restoring file systems, but windows won't pick up the drive. It's there in BIOS, but I can't access it from boot disks or from windows (doesn't show up in system properties). As it is, my best plan would probably be to use some cd bound linux distro to copy the files or to erase the MBR and get the stuff off it from windows.

I'd like any input on just getting windows to show the drive, though, since I seem to have misplaced my mandrake move cd.

Thanks for any help

 

[KingofFah]

Not picking it up in linux... interesting.
The only place it can be seen in is BIOS -- any ideas?

 

[KingofFah]

...
Resolved this as much as I can -- it's the firmware. Options are to get a data recovery service (not likely, unless she wants to pay for it) or buy another drive and replace the circuit board.
I've replaced the circuit boards before -- it's just a matter of finding it, since it's a few years old now.