Help -unplugged Dell HD and now it says I have no HD at all!

[bassqueen]

Ok -please computer Gurus -help me out here.

I have a Dell Optiplex.

I unplugged the hard drive & cd-rom (& floppy)

I was going to use them elsewhere -but then changed my mind.

I replugged everything back the way it was (its sort of dummy-proof.)

Now when I turn it on I get message that there is no hard drive installed.

I wanted to reformat it -put the winXP disk in the cd-rom and turned it on -I can get it to boot to the cd-rom, but after loading those initial files, it says it can't continue (because it thinks I don't have a hard drive.)

Aside from calling Dell support -what can I do to make this hard drive "re-appear"?

Any help would be GREATLY ppreciated and please, I am not a computer dummy but BY NO MEANS am I anywhere near a computer guru so please speak to me as if I'm a computer idiot -I won't be offended.



Thanks a lot - in advance!
Bassqueen

[quaxo]

First thing, remove and reconnect all cables to the drives, be it power or data. Check all the connector pins and make sure on isn't bent or something. Then reconnect all the cables making sure each one of plugging in properly.

[bassqueen]

Tried that -all connectors/pins look fine.

Still no luck -any other suggestions?

Thanx!

[Broni]

For security reasons, remove email address from your post!!!

[bassqueen]

THANKS!