Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: bodtchboy on February 16, 2007, 09:51:21 PM

Title: Hard drive not recognized as primary master
Post by: bodtchboy on February 16, 2007, 09:51:21 PM
Hi,
 
I recently erased a hard drive and reformated it.  When I install it back into the computer, it is not recognized as the primary master in the bios.  It shows it as a drive I can boot from, and it is shown as a raid driver or "serial driver?", but is not recognized as a primary driver.  When I try and install windows,  it does not recognize a hard drive.  I can't figure out if there is something in the bios I am missing.  
 
If I plug the hard drive into another computer, it is recognized as a primary master and I was able to install windows on it.  However, when I put it back into the other computer, it starts to load windows, but then resets the computer.  I can't figure out what's wrong!!
Title: Re: Hard drive not recognized as primary master
Post by: dl65 on February 16, 2007, 10:00:20 PM
bodtchboy......
Quote
I recently erased a hard drive and reformated it.  [highlight]When I install it back into the computer[/highlight]
......  Why was it necessary to remove the HD to wipe it and do a clean install?
Please specify what type of HD it is we're dealing with.

dl65  ::)

Title: Re: Hard drive not recognized as primary master
Post by: bodtchboy on February 16, 2007, 10:31:37 PM
It is my in-laws computer.  They got a bunch of viruses & spyware on it.  I don't know much about that stuff, so I back up their necessary files and then wipe the drive and reinstall everything.  I do it to mine every couple of years to clean out the junk.  
 
Anyway, it is a seagate 7200 160g SATA(model ST3160023AS).
 
I can't figure out if I am missing something in the BIOS.  I also can't find any jumpers associated with the SATA.  Not sure if there are supposed to be any or not.  
Title: Re: Hard drive not recognized as primary master
Post by: Joe_Flanagan on February 17, 2007, 12:40:13 AM
I would use the free Seagate utility to set-up the drive exactly as you want it (primary partition set to active, choose file system, extended partitions, if wanted etc.) [highlight]before Windows sees it[/highlight].

Be ready with SATA drivers when Windows asks (F6)
Then when you see "Regain Hero Status with in-laws", hit Restore  ;)

If it was working before, why worry about jumpers now ?