Hard Drive will not work in Dell Computer?

Question

I have put together 3 to 4 computers... Never had this issue before. 

I have a used dell computer I want to use, so I want to take the hard drive out of my old computer and put it as a slave drive inthe dell computer. Now, the dell computer has a master and a slave harddrive already. So, I look out the slave and put mine in as the slave and the computer wouldn't boot up at all. Then I tried putting in my slave drive from my old computer with the slave from the dell and still got nothing. Now, if I put the hardrives back in the dell the way it came it worrks... 

So, my question is  does dell's Mother board only work with certain hardrives? Or am I messing something. 

I have put many of hard drives in computers but none in a dell. So, I know all about the master and slave stuff, and the plugs, and I ahve changed the bios and still get nothing...

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I would guess that the one you are pulling is the one with the actual system files on.  The C: drive may be just a pointer to start from the second drive as a security measure.  Since most downloads always go to C: the operating system files are less succeptible to viruses this way.  This is not a typical Dell install though, they normally use a protected partition for this.  Hope this helps and Happy New Year

? · Answer

make shore that the the drive are not set as cable select some dell did use this a factory setting and 1 set cs wont like 1 set as slave or master

Simplex Spes · Answer

You got me stumped. It's a good question. I can only help you shorten the list of possible answers.

If your hard drive fits in the slot, then it's compatible physically (unless you FORCED it in, or it's missing pins?). That just leaves software problems. 
Perhaps you have not formatted you new hard drive?
Perhaps your slave hard-drive actually contained information required to boot? (sure sounds like it)
Have you tried taking out the other hard drive?

Oh well, as a computer geek, you can be sure you're in my prayers.

BigRez · Answer

You mention master/slave,  but not Cable select.  have you tried that?  I often pick up surplus Dell computers from my work and have noticed EVERY ONE has the drives set to cable select.

I've never had a problem using various drives so I don't think that's your problem.

jt114881 · Answer

if its an older drive and you are using an 80pin cable, you might have to switch to a 40pin. Also, make sure the jumpers are set right. Clear cmos if all else fails

Anonymous · Answer

no the mobos arent THAT propietary.....yet....

It sounds like you simply didnt have everything plugged in securely, then when you made the final change - you got it right,..

Remember to double and triple check the n00b stuff - it happens to the best of us - if youre lik me once youve done it a few thousand times, you start rtyinf to do it faster and faster - then you get held up because you forgot to plug in the 12V 4 plug accessory to you video card....after 1 hour of wondering :"what the hell is going wrong ?!?!?!""

good Luck

Roadman · Answer

You will need to go to the bios and set to "auto" detect your hard drive. Its probably set to "user" now.

gira · Answer

If your computer is not working properly while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software. 
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr

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Hard Drive will not work in Dell Computer?

8 Answers