PC won't recognize my hard drive

[Brodieman]

When I start up my PC, my motherboard all of a sudden won't recognize the hard drive I've had connected to it via IDE for 2 years. I can't auto-detect it by going into the BIOS menu either. I get a "BOOT DISK FAILURE. INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER." message.

I can go into more detail if needed, but I'm quite pissed now and don't really feel like typing at length on the matter. I've described what I feel is important.

 

[olmer]

If BIOS cannot see the disk it is most likely gone. Double check the cables (change molex and IDE if you can) and if it starts to spin at all. If so, try connecting it to a different channel/change jumpers. Sometimes logic goes and it can even work again after dust clean/jumpers change. If BIOS sees it and it would still not boot try chkdsk /r, fixboot in the recovery console.

 

[Brodieman]

How gone is gone?

 

[Marinski]

Maybe run some diagnostic utilities from a boot disc.

 

[Brodieman]

So if I switched molex connectors, IDE cables, blew any dust out of all connection points, tried the jumper in every possible position, and the thing still goes unrecognized and runs cold and quiet, everything's gone for good?

Great. Just great.