Author Topic: Drive disappeared (Read 16410 times)

dratul · « **on:** June 26, 2008, 01:58:08 AM »

I am using Windows XP. I am using two hard disk for storage. It was partitioned as Drive C, D & E. Yesterday when I started my computer after 10 days of gap the Drive E disappeared from the computer. I want to retrieve all data & drive which has suddenly disappeared from the computer. So please help to do so.

The other problem is that when computer starts it prompts to go thro set up by pressing F4. Why is it so?

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2008, 03:57:13 AM »

Do you know what Setup F4 brings you to? Is it the BIOS?

If you're using two hard disks, can you clarify that the second Hard Disk is plugged in properly.

Do you remember installing/downloading/running anything before this happened (despite the fact it happened 10 days ago).

dratul · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2008, 11:43:39 AM »

Ya Setup brings to BIOS.

Shall i open the cabinet & see the connections & secuire properly?

the last time all was working properly. i hadn't installed anything.

Spoiler · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2008, 11:54:13 AM »

Sounds like your battery may have died. If you go though the BIOS setup does it see 2 drives?

dratul · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2008, 02:24:48 AM »

i think the battery is OK. I searched for drives in BIOS utility. but where to locate it?

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2008, 02:39:52 AM »

Quote

but where to locate it?

Locate what? The battery?

It's on the motherboard. (a flat disc shaped battery)

rebel214 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2008, 03:09:09 AM »

maybe u mean where to find the HDD configuration in the BIOS....it varies on the BIOS Manufacturer of your motherboard...
Is there any error messages on your screen during POST? It could indicate the cause of the problem...

dratul · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2008, 07:57:47 AM »

I mean to say where to locate drive c,d,e in BIOS setup. i opened the cabinet removed the connection of both hard disks & secured again. but same problem exits. every time it prompts me to go thro BIOS setup utility. no error message comes. when i try to system restore it says drive E is not included in restore point. please help.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:10:01 AM »

I'm not an expert in this but I know that if you put a Flash Drive in the computer and try a System Restore, there will be a message saying something like what Dratul said (drive E is not included in restore point).

Quote

i opened the cabinet removed the connection of both hard disks

So there are two Hard Drives? If so, it would most likely be C and D on one Hard Disk and E on the other one.

Quote

when i try to system restore it says

You managed to get into Windows?

rebel214 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:20:40 PM »

Normally you can't see any drives that indicates C: D: or E:, only the drives being detected by your BIOS and its model (Example: Maxtor 6E040L0 and so on..)

I'm not expert with this but I think Drive E: is not included in the System Restore
because its on a separate drive (or partition).. System Restore is used for restoring working state of your System where Windows is installed, not on Drive E:,which is your storage drive....

try unplugging your second drive (Drive E:) and power up your system, see if it will still prompts you to press F4..If it successfully loads your OS without Drive E: bring installed,
maybe it has a problem..Did u try to install it on different system (known good)?
if your drive still cannot be detected on that system, I'm afraid, maybe your drive really had a problem....

hope this helps, Goodluck!

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:26:43 PM »

ALL drives will be monitored by System restore. Even storage drives for some reason. Is it not possible that somehow the drive simply "lost it's letter" from disk management?

1. Start->Run "Diskmgmt.msc"

2. Look at the bottom pane. What items are present?

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:18:42 PM »

Quote from: BC_Programmer on June 27, 2008, 08:26:43 PM

ALL drives will be monitored by System restore. Even storage drives for some reason.

Not if you didn't save a restore point with the drive in the computer.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:29:30 PM »

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 27, 2008, 09:18:42 PM

Quote from: BC_Programmer on June 27, 2008, 08:26:43 PM
ALL drives will be monitored by System restore. Even storage drives for some reason.
Not if you didn't save a restore point with the drive in the computer.

sorry, I should have mentioned I didn't mean thumb drives- just Internal Hard Drives. And what about automatic checkpoints?

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:47:55 PM »

Yeah, Automatic checkpoints work the same as making your own checkpoints.

dratul · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2008, 10:59:28 PM »

i want to clarify some points.

Actually C & D drive is part of one hard disk & E drive is on another hard disk (2 hard disk). Thats why i am able to open the windows as it is installed on C drive.

I will try to unplug the other disk will see what happens.

the disk management shows drive Helathy C & D. But also show Disk 0 Basic (37.26 GB) online. But not disk E.

rebel214 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2008, 11:59:20 PM »

Quote from: BC_Programmer on June 27, 2008, 08:26:43 PM

ALL drives will be monitored by System restore. Even storage drives for some reason. Is it not possible that somehow the drive simply "lost it's letter" from disk management?

1. Start->Run "Diskmgmt.msc"

2. Look at the bottom pane. What items are present?

You can add/assign a drive letter on your drive:

type the command above, press Enter....

Computer Management window appears..

1.Right click on the "partition" of your disk (drive w/ no letter assigned)...

2.Click "Change drive letter and paths"...

A new window appears...

3.Click "Add" button..

A new window appears...

4.Click mouse on "Assign the following Drive letter" option...

Select letter you want to use on the drop down option....

5.Click OK twice...

Check if new Drive letter (the one you specified) appears on Disk Management window...

You can try open My Computer and access your drive if you can....

Hope this helps......

P.S. Pls. post if you Guys, have corrections on my reply... I'm a newbie, ya know...

JJ 3000 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2008, 12:47:40 AM »

Most computers will diplay a message when booting for you to press a key to enter setup (in your case F4). This is perfectley normal. You dont have to enter setup to boot into Windows usually. From what you are saying, it sounds you could have one of two problems. Either you battery is dying or somone messed with your computer's BIOS during the ten days that you left it alone. Is your computer losing time? Look at the clock and see if the time is right.

rebel214 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2008, 01:07:58 AM »

it looks like you have received a lot of responses and suggestions, dratul....

but, hey, why don't you have your feedbacks post on what's the outcome of all the suggestions you tried...

Which of them works?

a lot people on this community are glad to help you...LOL

dratul · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2008, 02:19:19 AM »

Quote

try unplugging your second drive (Drive E:) and power up your system, see if it will still prompts you to press F4..If it successfully loads your OS without Drive E:

i unplugged the problematic disk, it will open only a blue screen giving details of motherboard, but not starting the OS. But when i unplug the other one it asks to select proper boot device. this means there is some problem in the disk (drive E). i think according to u i should try this disk on other computer. is there any way to retrive the data from this disk even if it has problem?

Quote

Quote from: JJ 3000 on June 28, 2008, 12:47:40 AM
Most computers will diplay a message when booting for you to press a key to enter setup (in your case F4). This is perfectley normal. You dont have to enter setup to boot into Windows usually. From what you are saying, it sounds you could have one of two problems. Either you battery is dying or somone messed with your computer's BIOS during the ten days that you left it alone. Is your computer losing time? Look at the clock and see if the time is right.

The computer is showing proper time & date.

rebel214 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:09:26 AM »

Quote from: dratul on June 28, 2008, 02:19:19 AM

i unplugged the problematic disk, it will open only a blue screen giving details of motherboard, but not starting the OS. But when i unplug the other one it asks to select proper boot device. this means there is some problem in the disk (drive E). i think according to u i should try this disk on other computer. is there any way to retrive the data from this disk even if it has problem?

Quote

What do you mean a blue screen, a STOP Error or BSOD?

Can you still boot into Windows with the defective drive attached to the system?

Yup, as long as the known good system can detect your drive and also it depends upon the extent of the problem on your drive... $:-\$

dratul · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:36:58 PM »

After plugging & unplugging the hard disk, now one problem is occurring. After escaping BIOS setup utility I couldn’t start OS. A black screen with following message comes:

‘windows couldn’t start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
System32\DRIVERS\pci.sys

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM
Select ‘r’ at the first screen to start repair’

Now how to solve this problem.

JJ 3000 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2008, 01:47:10 AM »

Make sure you are grounded before touching any internal components. The first hard disk (C&D) should be jumpered to master. When you unplugged the drives you may have gotten the cable backwards. If you have one IDE cable connected to your motherboard for both of the Hard drives make sure you have the master plugged into the end of the cable (master) and not the middle connector(slave). If you look at your hard drive there should be a diagram that has the jumper settings.

Now power up your machine and press F4 to go into setup. Move over to BOOT or BOOT ORDER. FRom here you can select which device to boot up with. You press the plus and minus keys (usually) to move your devices up and down in the boot order. Make sure your master Hard Drive is the first boot device. Now exit and save changes.

dratul · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2008, 09:23:02 PM »

i did exactly what u have told, but the windows is not starting. it is giving same error message. what id set-up CD ROM?

JJ 3000 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 30, 2008, 01:49:04 AM »

When you bought you're computer, it should have came with a few CDs. One of these is your setup CD-ROM. Look through the CDs that came with it and look for one called "recovery disk" or "operating system" or mabey even just "windows XP".

If you cant find the CD, look at your computer case. There might be a sticker on the side of your machine with your product key and info.

Do you know anyone else with same version of XP that has a disk, or can burn one for you?

rebel214 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 30, 2008, 03:13:26 AM »

Quote from: JJ 3000 on June 30, 2008, 01:49:04 AM

When you bought you're computer, it should have came with a few CDs. One of these is your setup CD-ROM. Look through the CDs that came with it and look for one called "recovery disk" or "operating system" or mabey even just "windows XP".

If you cant find the CD, look at your computer case. There might be a sticker on the side of your machine with your product key and info.

Do you know anyone else with same version of XP that has a disk, or can burn one for you?

Now if you have your installation cd, do you have any idea on windows xp installation?

but take note that your are not going to perform new windows installation, but to repair your existing windows installation.... $:-\$

Crafty · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2008, 03:29:56 AM »

You still haven't said if both hard drives are recognised in the bios - They will be listed in the bios by the make of the hard drives - Also, you should try a new ide cable ribbon if a harddrive is not recognised in the bios.

If you want data of this hard drive - You can hook it up to another computer as a slave and get the data of it. Just remember also, If the drive has partitions on it - go to disk management and right click each partion and click activate partition.

dratul · « **Reply #26 on:** June 30, 2008, 08:16:43 AM »

Quote from: Crafty on June 30, 2008, 03:29:56 AM

You still haven't said if both hard drives are recognised in the bios - They will be listed in the bios by the make of the hard drives - Also, you should try a new ide cable ribbon if a harddrive is not recognised in the bios.

If you want data of this hard drive - You can hook it up to another computer as a slave and get the data of it. Just remember also, If the drive has partitions on it - go to disk management and right click each partion and click activate partition.

In the BIOS under Advance menu it shows both the Hard disk by their make.

Quote from: JJ 3000 on June 30, 2008, 01:49:04 AM

When you bought you're computer, it should have came with a few CDs. One of these is your setup CD-ROM. Look through the CDs that came with it and look for one called "recovery disk" or "operating system" or mabey even just "windows XP".

If you cant find the CD, look at your computer case. There might be a sticker on the side of your machine with your product key and info.

Do you know anyone else with same version of XP that has a disk, or can burn one for you?

I have Driver Recovery CD & Windows XP CD. Will it do?

dratul · « **Reply #27 on:** June 30, 2008, 11:57:00 AM »

Alas i could start the windows though there was no Drive E. Thanx all of u for ur help & i have learned lot of thinks from all of u.

Crafty · « **Reply #28 on:** June 30, 2008, 05:49:59 PM »

I am just curious to know this, if both his hard drives are showing up in the bios - Would this then not point to a windows fault, that one of his hard drives, is not showing in windows? or could the E: drive still just be faulty? I have seen similar things to this all over the internet, but no-one seems to have an answer.

dratul
If was you, I would hook that E: drive up to another computer as a slave, and just see if it is recognised by the other computer.

dratul · « **Reply #29 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:51:51 AM »

thanx crafty, i am also wondering why so? i will try this falty disk in another computer & lets see.

dratul · « **Reply #30 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:10:39 AM »

2nd thing i also see the hard disk in Device Manager, but when i click on its property under volume it gives no information...i.e type: unknown, status: unreadable & other values 0.

Carbon Dudeoxide · « **Reply #31 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:26:28 AM »

Can you reinstall the drivers?

rebel214 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 02, 2008, 03:11:38 AM »

try to go into disk management:

right click on My Computer

select Manage..

click on Disk Management

can you see your drive (e.g. Disk0, Disk1)?

dratul · « **Reply #33 on:** July 02, 2008, 11:47:01 AM »

Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 01, 2008, 06:26:28 AM

Can you reinstall the drivers?

i reinstalled the driver in the device manager option, but no use. shall i download the driver from internet.

Quote from: rebel214 on July 02, 2008, 03:11:38 AM

try to go into disk management:

right click on My Computer

select Manage..

click on Disk Management

can you see your drive (e.g. Disk0, Disk1)?

i can see only Disk 0 which is my working hard disk.

rogerlewis · « **Reply #34 on:** July 02, 2008, 03:46:55 PM »

I'm no expert either so i won't feel so foolish by asking a silly question, are the two hard drives on the same strap and both set as master? would that make a difference?

rebel214 · « **Reply #35 on:** July 02, 2008, 11:09:06 PM »

Quote from: dratul on July 02, 2008, 11:47:01 AM

i can see only Disk 0 which is my working hard disk.

is your hard disk an IDE drive?

if it is, try to connect it to IDE1 connector on your motherboard..(your working hard drive is probably plugged on IDE0 connector)..This drive will now be your Secondary Master (be sure you jumper set this drive as Master)

you must use separate IDE cable on this setup....

and be sure it is being detected on the BIOS Setup.....

let's see if this one's work.....Goodluck!

dratul · « **Reply #36 on:** July 03, 2008, 02:19:01 AM »

Quote from: rogerlewis on July 02, 2008, 03:46:55 PM

I'm no expert either so i won't feel so foolish by asking a silly question, are the two hard drives on the same strap and both set as master? would that make a difference?

both r connected by a single strap, but one is slave & other master..

samcarney · « **Reply #37 on:** July 03, 2008, 02:37:23 AM »

Quote

I'm no expert either so i won't feel so foolish by asking a silly question, are the two hard drives on the same strap and both set as master? would that make a difference?

Quote
both r connected by a single strap, but one is slave & other master..

yes it is normal for 2 hard drives to be on 1 IDE cable. the next time you have your E drive out,check the pins where you plug the cables in and make sure none are broken on the hard drive. this happened to me once, and had to play with a soldering gun to get data off of it.

also for kicks you could try reversing the drives on the cable, (swap which one plugs onto the end of cable) and see what you get.

dratul · « **Reply #38 on:** July 03, 2008, 06:04:10 AM »

is your hard disk an IDE drive?

if it is, try to connect it to IDE1 connector on your motherboard..(your working hard drive is probably plugged on IDE0 connector)..This drive will now be your Secondary Master (be sure you jumper set this drive as Master)

you must use separate IDE cable on this setup....

and be sure it is being detected on the BIOS Setup.....

let's see if this one's work.....Goodluck!

[/quote]

Ya mine is IDE Drive. both r connected to a single strap. how to connect the disk to mother board by separate IDE cable?

samcarney · « **Reply #39 on:** July 03, 2008, 11:02:30 AM »

Quote

Ya mine is IDE Drive. both r connected to a single strap. how to connect the disk to mother board by separate IDE cable?

well first you have to find another IDE cable (the flat ribbon cable)
then if you look on the motherboard next to where your original cable plugs in, you will probably see another connector to plug in the "extra" ribbon cable. Some motherboards try to cut corners and only give you one port so if you dont see an extra connection on the mainboard thats why.

JJ 3000 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 03, 2008, 10:52:06 PM »

Quote from: dratul on July 03, 2008, 06:04:10 AM

Ya mine is IDE Drive. both r connected to a single strap. how to connect the disk to mother board by separate IDE cable?

Your CD drive should also be connected to the motherboard by an IDE cable. Unplug the cable from the CD drive(s) and jumper your E drive to master. Now plug the cable from you CD drive into the hard drive. Make sure you plug the end connector(master) into the hard drive and not the middle connector(slave).

dratul · « **Reply #41 on:** July 04, 2008, 07:00:03 AM »

Before doing this I would like to tell that I used Seagate tool i.e. SeaTools to check the hard drive. It passed the Smart test but failed in Short drive self test(DST), long DST. Also Seagate told me to ship the hard disk to their lab where they charged 2200 USD.

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Author Topic: Drive disappeared (Read 16410 times)

dratul

Carbon Dudeoxide

dratul

Spoiler

dratul

Carbon Dudeoxide

rebel214

dratul

Carbon Dudeoxide

rebel214

BC_Programmer

Carbon Dudeoxide

BC_Programmer

Carbon Dudeoxide

dratul

rebel214

JJ 3000

rebel214

dratul

rebel214

dratul

JJ 3000

dratul

JJ 3000

rebel214

Crafty

dratul

dratul

Crafty

dratul

dratul

Carbon Dudeoxide

rebel214

dratul

rogerlewis

rebel214

dratul

samcarney

dratul

samcarney

JJ 3000

dratul