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PC is having problems detecting my HD

Jaiguru

Jaiguru

Senior member
I'm having some serious problems or some serious bad luck with Hard Drives. This doesn't happen all the time but regularly my PC will not boot because it just can't find my HD. Everything is hookep up snug and properlym so I've ruled that out completely. I also used to just think I was having horrible luck with buying HDs. But, this is the 3rd drive I've gone through in a year and it's having the exact same problems as the last two.

The best I could come up with is that my mother board is somehow frying these things the second I hook them up. I'm just looking for some reassurance here really.

Right now, I'm running on a MSI board with an AMD 64 3200+ and a WD 160gb IDE HD.

Thanks for the help in advance!
 
If you have a digital multimeter, check your power supply's output voltages. Black = ground wires, red = +5V, yellow = +12V. Ideally, being within ±5% of target would be good.

If you don't have access to a multimeter or aren't sure how to use one, you could start by looking in your motherboard's BIOS for voltage monitoring, which may be under "PC Health" or another sub-menu.

To get clarification: this is an intermittent problem? The same hard drive might be detected / not-detected on any given startup?
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
If you have a digital multimeter, check your power supply's output voltages. Black = ground wires, red = +5V, yellow = +12V. Ideally, being within ±5% of target would be good.

If you don't have access to a multimeter or aren't sure how to use one, you could start by looking in your motherboard's BIOS for voltage monitoring, which may be under "PC Health" or another sub-menu.

To get clarification: this is an intermittent problem? The same hard drive might be detected / not-detected on any given startup?
Click to expand...

That's correct. It's completely random on whether my pc will decide to detect the HD or not. I don't have a multimeter nor have I ever heard of such a thing, but I do know how to check the Voltage in my BIOS. I'll get that info real quick and get back with you.

This is what I got from checking the BIOS:

CPU Vcore 1.53V
+3.3V 3.31V
+5.0V 5.10V
Battery 2.99V
+5VSB 4.96V
 
well, you'll need to manually check the 12v, 5v, and 3.3v. I think that's the issue.

what's the make and model of the PSU?
 
Originally posted by: robisbell
well, you'll need to manually check the 12v, 5v, and 3.3v. I think that's the issue.

what's the make and mdoel of the PSU?
Click to expand...

I have no idea what the make of the PSU is. It's just some offbrand I'm sure. It came with the PC case I bought a couple of years back. The most info I can get from it is, MODEL: LPK2-35, from the sticker I just ripped off of it.
 
okay, like Mech and I have stated you need to manually test the psu, because you need to verify the voltages since it's either not posting the 12v, which could mean that there is a problem.
 
Originally posted by: Jaiguru
Originally posted by: robisbell
okay, like Mech and I have stated you need to manually test the psu, because you need to verify the voltages since it's either not posting the 12v, which could mean that there is a problem.

does your PSU look like this?

http://tekgems.com/Products/et...06-pwr-lpk2-35-500.htm
Click to expand...
Yep, that's the exact model. I have no problem just buying a new PSU if you guys think that's causing the problem.
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of el-cheapo power supplies. If you need something in the 500-watt range, the Antec Earthwatts 500W would be tolerably good and not too expensive. I think there's a thread over in Hot Deals which covers Antec PSU deals.
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
Originally posted by: Jaiguru
Originally posted by: robisbell
okay, like Mech and I have stated you need to manually test the psu, because you need to verify the voltages since it's either not posting the 12v, which could mean that there is a problem.

does your PSU look like this?

http://tekgems.com/Products/et...06-pwr-lpk2-35-500.htm
Click to expand...
Yep, that's the exact model. I have no problem just buying a new PSU if you guys think that's causing the problem.
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of el-cheapo power supplies. If you need something in the 500-watt range, the Antec Earthwatts 500W would be tolerably good and not too expensive. I think there's a thread over in Hot Deals which covers Antec PSU deals.
Click to expand...
I'll probably go for something with a bit more juice this time. I'd like to eventually upgrade my Video Card and I know 500w just isn't enough tp run these 8800 series which is what I'm looking at.
 
Corsair's 620HX would be on my list if I could afford to build a new system with a single high-end video card. They're built by Seasonic and have earned a good reputation. It's a bit overkill, but I like to get the "towing package" on PSUs... I keep them a while.
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
Corsair's 620HX would be on my list if I could afford to build a new system with a single high-end video card. They're built by Seasonic and have earned a good reputation. It's a bit overkill, but I like to get the "towing package" on PSUs... I keep them a while.
Click to expand...

That looks pretty solid. Gonna do a bit more research but I think you may have already found me a new PSU. Thanks for all the help!
 
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