hard drive power?

[tjb129016]

How can I tell If a Harddrive even works, will it make a noise or light up, becuase ive been trying to install a used HD but i cant get it to read

 

[Geoff]

If everything is plugged in correctly, then when you turn the computer on and put your fingers on the hard drive, you should hear some vibration.

The best way to check is to go into BIOS and see if it sees it.

 

[The_Other_One]

If it spins up, that's one good sign... However, that's not always a sign the drive's good...

Let the bios detect the drive. Usally there's an auto setting. Be sure this is enabled.

Make sure the drive's formatted/partitioned. Sometimes you need to go to Computer Management to setup the drive/format it/assign a drive letter.

 

[tjb129016]

thats the problem, i can feel the hard drive , like it gets warm, but when in the bios the computer doesnt dect it

 

[Geoff]

thats the problem, i can feel the hard drive , like it gets warm, but when in the bios the computer doesnt dect it

It could be a few problems:

1.) Bad Controller
2.) Bad Cable
3.) Bad Hard Drive

I would try replacing the cord and/or plugging the cord into a different port.

 

[tjb129016]

I know the bables are good cuz they work on other thigs like another HD, and cdrw , But what is a controller

 

[tjb129016]

cables****

 

[diduknowthat]

did you get the jumpers on the drive set correctly?

 

[tjb129016]

yes