Hard Drive Problems

[TacitCracker]

My PC cannot detect my hard drive. I made sure that the cables where plugged in right and that the jumpers were set correctly but still unable to boot to install xp.

I deleted the Windows folder on it but would it still affect it so it cannot be detected? How would I know if it is the cables?

 

[Trizoy]

Ok since you deleted the windows folder (which is impossible.. given user rights exe and dll which are currently operating etc...) I am assuming this is an old hard drive, probably and IDE and Not a SATA. You change to boot order in the bios to allow the cd to boot before the hd right? Then you put in the windows cd and follow the prompts.. Doesnt work?

 

[TacitCracker]

I changed the boot order and then it loads the xp cd and then when it comes time to select the hd it will say no hd found and it will make me reboot.
I had two partition of windows on it. When I deleted the windows folder and then I deleted the other partition in the xp setup before my hd stopped working. It's IDE, how would I know if the IDE cables where the problem? My pc is 3 years old.

 

[Trizoy]

So you did partition the hd? You will still have to format it.. i dont think windows will see the hd unless it is either not partitioned or it IS formatted.. im not sure. Go to www.bootdisk.com and download a win98 bootdisk. Put it on a floppy disk and change the order to boot from floppy. When the a:/ comes up tell it to "format c:/" Then when thats done go ahead and take the disc out and boot to winxp cd. Go from there.

 

[SFR]

I might be leading you in the wrong direction but within the bios you should be able to check and see if the hdd is present. If the bios cannot see it, chances are there is something physically wrong (cables incorrectly plugged in, jumper setting are wrong)....