Help with Harddrive issue

[HungryWolf]

Check my next post.

[patio]

Try a brand new 80 pin IDE cable in that setup...

[HungryWolf]

I found out what the problem was, and I kind of managed to fix it. When I say kind of, I mean that I have it running, but there are still problems. One of the problems was that the blocks installer wasn't working correctly, and I still don't know how to get it running so it installs all the blocks. The second thing is I just realized that my Harddrive is only being read as a 20 or 30 GB HDD, while it is a 200 GB HDD. I think if I update my BIOS then it will get fix the problem, but I don't know how to do it. I downloaded the BIOS, and the only file I have from the download is a .ROM file. What do I do?

[Saviour]

This is more than likely an image file that needs to be copied to a cd.  Then you use the cd to do an image flash of the BIOS.

However, before you do that...could you give us the specs on your system?

1)  Motherboard
2)  Operating system
3)  Etc., etc.

Once we have this info...we'll be able to provide you with an answer.

Depending on your OS...you should be able to configure the hard drive using the hard drive's diagnostic software.

Never flash your BIOS unless you absolutely have to.

[patio]

Never flash your BIOS unless you absolutely have to.

Couldn't have said it better...

Editing your original post will only add to the confusion.

Post the info saviour requested before you wind up with an expensive doorstop.

[HungryWolf]

I guess I should have kept part of my original post.

My harddrive wasn't being detected correctly in my BIOS. I couldn't get it to be the primary master, and because of that I'd always get an error message when I started my computer. I'm still having the problem. My friend told me to update my BIOS because that would most likely help.

The type of motherboard is an ASUS socket 775 P5LD2-VM, my processor is a Pentium 4 3.06 Ghz, I have 1 GB of RAM, and I should have 200 GB of memory on my harddrive. I'm using Windows XP Media Center 2005.

The file I downloaded to update my BIOS was a .ROM file, and according to the manual. It also told me to put it on a floppy disk, however my computer doesn't have a floppy drive. If I do need to update my BIOS, could I do it with a CD?

[patio]

Is the drive on IDE 1 ? ?
Was it ever detected properly ? ?
Is this the original Media Centre install ? ?

I seriously doubt that the BIOS is the issue here...

[Saviour]

The file I downloaded to update my BIOS was a .ROM file, and according to the manual. It also told me to put it on a floppy disk, however my computer doesn't have a floppy drive. If I do need to update my BIOS, could I do it with a CD?

Right now...this should be the furthest thing from your mind...

Answer patio's questions...

Also supply us with the make and model of your hard drive.

Is this a new hard drive?

Did it come with the computer or did you purchase it?


At any rate, you should be able to visit your hard drive manufacturer's website to download and install a diagnostic software program that will enable you to configure and install your hard drive for use with your computer and operating system.

Whatever you do...DO NOT FLASH THE BIOS!!!

[HungryWolf]

Is the drive on IDE 1 ? ?
Was it ever detected properly ? ?
Is this the original Media Centre install ? ?

I seriously doubt that the BIOS is the issue here...

I don't think so.
Yes it was when I first got the computer. Then when I switched the motherboard I started getting the error messages but I still had 200 GB of memory on the HDD.
No, I just ordered a new copy from HP because they didn't give me one when I first got the computer.

I honestly don't know what brand the harddrive is. It came with my computer when I first got it from HP. Is there a way I can figure it out, without having to remove it?

I believe my computer thinks it's a WDC WD2000JS-60MHB1, but that doesn't tell me anything.

[Saviour]

Go to the following link to download and install Western Digital's Data LifeGuard Tools 11.2 for Windows to correctly configure your hard drive.

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=15&swid=1

Remember...setting up your new hard drive correctly may entail reformatting the hard drive...Backup...Backup...Backup!

[HungryWolf]

Thanks for your help. The Data Lifeguard Tools program knows the correct size after looking for information about it. But if I want to set up my harddrive I can't because the hard drive is my windows drive. It says to use the DOS program, so should I just burn that onto a CD and go from there?

[Saviour]

There are two Data LifeGuard versions...Windows and DOS.

If after installing the Windows version...it recommends using the DOS version, then download and use it.

However, I've never used the DOS utlility...sorry.

Whatever you choose...do a backup just in case you have to reinstall Windows.


Better safe than sorry.  Let us know how it goes...okay?

[HungryWolf]

Will do; I'll do it first thing tomorrow.

[HungryWolf]

I finally got around to doing it and when I turned my computer on after putting the image file on a CD, all that comes up is "No Operating System".

I could not have possibly done anything wrong, so what is the problem?