HD sometimes not detected

On Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:23:32 -0500, Bill wrote:

>Hi
>
>On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
>I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
>power on again and they're seen.
>
>What can be done to get rid of that pb ?
>
>Thanks
Why ask here? If the drives aren't showing in BIOS setup, the problem
has nothing to do with the OS and as such the question is out of place
here.

Ask elsewhere
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected 

Jerry wrote:
> A new motherboard
>
> "Bill" wrote in message

>> Hi
>>
>> On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
>> I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
>> power on again and they're seen.
>>
>> What can be done to get rid of that pb ?
>>
>> Thanks

New drive cables?
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected 

"Bill" wrote in message

> Hi
>
> On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
> I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
> power on again and they're seen.
>
> What can be done to get rid of that pb ?
>
> Thanks

This I've found in the past in my own experiiences as due to lack of
adequate amperage on the +12V leg of the power supply. As a consequence,
the HD takes longer to spinup.
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected 

> "Bill" wrote in message

>> Hi
>>
>> On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
>> I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
>> power on again and they're seen.
>>
>> What can be done to get rid of that pb ?
>>
>> Thanks


"Lil' Dave" wrote in message

> This I've found in the past in my own experiiences as due to lack of
> adequate amperage on the +12V leg of the power supply. As a consequence,
> the HD takes longer to spinup.
> --
> Dave


Bill:
First of all, we're assuming there are *no other* problems with the system
other than the one you've described.

Actually there can be a number of causes for this problem. First & foremost
it can be a defective (at least failing) power supply as inferred by Dave.
It could be the PSU itself, the power cable emanating from the PSU, or even
the motherboard's power connector.

One of the first things to try is to substitute another PSU or at the least,
use a PS tester to check out your current PSU.

It could be the HDD itself. It should be checked out with the HDD diagnostic
utility which you can obtain from the disk's manufacturer.

The above are only for starters. There can be other hardware components that
are implicated.

But in any event, I trust you're backing up your system on a routine &
frequent basis.
Anna
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected 

"Anna" wrote in message

>
>> "Bill" wrote in message
>
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
>>> I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
>>> power on again and they're seen.
>>>
>>> What can be done to get rid of that pb ?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>
>
> "Lil' Dave" wrote in message

>> This I've found in the past in my own experiiences as due to lack of
>> adequate amperage on the +12V leg of the power supply. As a consequence,
>> the HD takes longer to spinup.
>> --
>> Dave
>
>
> Bill:
> First of all, we're assuming there are *no other* problems with the system
> other than the one you've described.
>
> Actually there can be a number of causes for this problem. First &
> foremost it can be a defective (at least failing) power supply as inferred
> by Dave. It could be the PSU itself, the power cable emanating from the
> PSU, or even the motherboard's power connector.
>
> One of the first things to try is to substitute another PSU or at the
> least, use a PS tester to check out your current PSU.
>
> It could be the HDD itself. It should be checked out with the HDD
> diagnostic utility which you can obtain from the disk's manufacturer.
>
> The above are only for starters. There can be other hardware components
> that are implicated.
>
> But in any event, I trust you're backing up your system on a routine &
> frequent basis.
> Anna
>

In the case of adding additional hard drives, the power supply may have been
adequate with its original configuration. Adding another hard drive(s) may
create such a problem described by the OP. This does not mean the power
supply is or was defective in any manner, its simply means its not up to
snuff to carry additional load.

Simply delaying bios time until sniffing the onboard hard drives may work
though. Some bios have an option to count RAM multiple times for instance.
If that works, it is usually the power supply being inadequate. The
pause/break key pressed at the right time, then pressed again subsequently,
may effect the same thing in a delay. But, I've never attempted that at
such an early sequence in the bios sequence.

If the problem never existed before, and manifested itself as of late
without a configuration change, then could very well be a dying power
supply.

Data cables should be replaced when suspect or when very old. There should
never be problem with the molex connected types for power unless abused by a
novice in reverse direction attempts to connect or pulling at the wires
instead of the connector when attempting to disconnect. The spin motor of
one of the onboard hard drives could be on its way out, and, causing the
problem as well. This is a matter of connecting only one drive at time to
determine if so.

In one scenario, I found a PC with a UPS is normally off when the PC was
off. If the UPS was turned on, followed by the PC being immediately turned
on, sometimes, the hard drives (SATAs) were not found by the bios. Simply
turning on the UPS, and delaying turning on the PC for 5 seconds, never had
bios HD detection problem. It don't understand that as the power supply is
activated by the PC on button. My guess is the feed side of the power
supply needed some saturation time.
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected 

Lil' Dave a écrit :
>>>> On a 7zx MB sometimes at bootup the HDs aren't detected by the CMOS.
>>>> I unplug the drive cables from the MB and from the HDs and replug and
>>>> power on again and they're seen.
>> Actually there can be a number of causes for this problem. First &
>> foremost it can be a defective (at least failing) power supply as inferred
>> by Dave. It could be the PSU itself, the power cable emanating from the
>> PSU, or even the motherboard's power connector.
>>
>> One of the first things to try is to substitute another PSU or at the
>> least, use a PS tester to check out your current PSU.
>>
>> It could be the HDD itself. It should be checked out with the HDD
>> diagnostic utility which you can obtain from the disk's manufacturer.
>>
>> The above are only for starters. There can be other hardware components
>> that are implicated.
>>
>> But in any event, I trust you're backing up your system on a routine &
>> frequent basis.
>> Anna
>>
>
> In the case of adding additional hard drives, the power supply may have been
> adequate with its original configuration. Adding another hard drive(s) may
> create such a problem described by the OP. This does not mean the power
> supply is or was defective in any manner, its simply means its not up to
> snuff to carry additional load.
>
> Simply delaying bios time until sniffing the onboard hard drives may work
> though. Some bios have an option to count RAM multiple times for instance.
> If that works, it is usually the power supply being inadequate. The
> pause/break key pressed at the right time, then pressed again subsequently,
> may effect the same thing in a delay. But, I've never attempted that at
> such an early sequence in the bios sequence.
>
> If the problem never existed before, and manifested itself as of late
> without a configuration change, then could very well be a dying power
> supply.
>
> Data cables should be replaced when suspect or when very old. There should
> never be problem with the molex connected types for power unless abused by a
> novice in reverse direction attempts to connect or pulling at the wires
> instead of the connector when attempting to disconnect. The spin motor of
> one of the onboard hard drives could be on its way out, and, causing the
> problem as well. This is a matter of connecting only one drive at time to
> determine if so.
>
> In one scenario, I found a PC with a UPS is normally off when the PC was
> off. If the UPS was turned on, followed by the PC being immediately turned
> on, sometimes, the hard drives (SATAs) were not found by the bios. Simply
> turning on the UPS, and delaying turning on the PC for 5 seconds, never had
> bios HD detection problem. It don't understand that as the power supply is
> activated by the PC on button. My guess is the feed side of the power
> supply needed some saturation time.

The cables are new.
That box had 2 HDs and 2 CDs before. It never failed. It has been
replaced by a brand new fast machine and I gave the 7zx to my mother.
She has only 1 HD and 1 CD and it began there.

I tried to put my HD in it and it does the same thing.

But she'd found something that could have some meaning to an advised
ear. When it doesn't start, if she unplugs the 'puter for some time it
restarts in a whiz. !!!

Sorry for having been long to answer back but my news server (aioe)
seems to be down and I had a kind a party to find another one where I
can post.
 >> Stay informed about: HD sometimes not detected