Computer stays as detecting IDE drives in POST.

[WSR]

Hi all,

Unfortunately my custom gaming computer does not seem to POST successfully. It does detect the CPU and RAM, however it takes longer than usual to actually find the IDE drives (I have 1 IDE drive [booting drive], and 1 SATA drive):

I have a 86 GB IDE drive and a Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB SATA HDD.

It doesn't seem to get past that stage and I've tried getting into the BIOS, however the computer says "Prepare to enter Setup" and stays like that.

The XPressRecovery2 and Boot Menu do not seem to be accessible either.

The motherboard used is the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR.
The CPU is an Intel Pentium D 805.
The Ram is GeiL 2GB DDR2 667/800.

I don't know what to do, other than check the connections of the drives to the motherboard.

Before this occurred yesterday, I had made the mistake of using "Stand By" on my computer, then awakening it some hours later to find some of my data on the SATA drive was lost and the 3.3v,1.8v and 12.5v being 4.0v (thereby overvolted?).

[Using Windows XP SP1]

I quickly shut it down and tried to check if any connections were loose, then I switched it on again.

Then these problems occurred.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[xavier]

Whatever drive you have your OS on leave that connected >dis connect the others and re boot. This is a check only for starters.

[WSR]

I've isolated the problem:

It was the Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1 TB drive.

With the 86 GB IDE connected only, the computer actually completed POST and I was also able to get into the BIOS, and boot into Windows.

I didn't have much in that drive, however have a feeling I have to replace it.

I am posting from the computer now, and the voltages are all normal.

Is it okay to try to put the SATA drive back in?

[smeezekitty]

give it a try
but is sounds like the control curccuit on that sata drive is fried

[WSR]

I tried connecting the SATA drive in the 1st SATA port, with the same results as the original problem, (staying on Detecting IDE drives forever), then in another port (I think the 3rd/2nd) and the computer POSTed, but didn't detect the SATA drive.

I think what smeezekitty says is true, the control circuit on the SATA drive is "fried".

It looks like another thing I'm going to have to get when I go down to my local computer parts store next Saturday.

(Along with an Intel Core 2 Duo E7xxx/E8xxx and a ATI Radeon HD 4870)

[EDIT: What are the normal voltage levels for a PSU? Speedfan shows Vcore1 as 1.34v, Vcore2 as 1.81v, +3.3 as 3.38v, +5(1st) as 5.11v. +12 as 2.37v, -12 as -16.02, -5 as -8.48, +5 (2nd) as 5.27v, Vbat as 3.12v and VCore as 3.00v]

[patio]

Check your warranty on that drive....1TB is relatively new and it should be covered...

Voltages should be within 10%...

[WSR]

I've checked the drive's box for warranty, except it was purchased in Hong Kong.

And also I didn't register for online warranty...

So what you're saying is that the +12v, -12v, and -5v are all abnormal?

[patio]

They may be being mis-reported...don't rely on only the speedfan report for results...

BTW the drive manuf. will be able to tell from the batch# approx how old the drive is...

[WSR]

I just bought the drive about a month ago...

I checked the BIOS voltage readings, they seem good from what was reported.

[patio]

Contact the drive maker...they normally will bend over backwards to satisfy if you let them know you are a loyal customer...
Explain the circumstances and they will probably issue a RMA and ship you a brand new drive.

i've had both WD and Seagate replace drives that were well out of warranty...