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What's up with my computer?

The other day I turned on my desktop computer and got this message on the monitor "can not find hard drive". I figured my hard drive had fried so I bought and installed a new drive, got the same message.

Anybody have a clue as to what might be going on?

Update:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 2:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 3:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 4:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 5:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 6:

Could not load windows as the computer could not find the hard drive

Update 7:

Sorry for all of the "could not load..." additional details, it seems that YA be messin' with me.

I know that the new hard drive is blank, I tried to restore before I installed the new drive without any luck. I then bought a new Seagate HD and installed it and got the exact same message. I can't load windows if the computer can not find the HD.

3 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Since the "can not find hard drive" message appears with both hard disks, they are unlikely to be the problem.  Assuming you have SATA hardware, check the SATA settings in BIOS for changes (from IDE emulation to AHCI or vice versa).

    This problem is typically due to a failed data cable, or more rarely a bad power cable, so you should try a cable swap (after reinstalling the old hard disk, of course).

    If possible, check the voltages on the power plug to rule out a power supply problem.

    Hard disk controllers occasionally fail.  In BIOS, check whether the hard disk is detected.  If not, power down and reconnect to an alternate port, then power up and recheck BIOS.  A single controller may drive several ports that could all be dead, but multiple controllers may be onboard, so be sure to try all the connectors.

    If it's a SATA hard disk and you have a SATA CD or DVD that's detected in BIOS, then at least that controller and port are active, and you can try the hard disk on that connector.

  • 8 years ago

    If you just installed the new hard drive and did not reload Windows that explains why it will not load.

    The new disk is blank. You must install Windows and other software from your backup.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    Ensure data and power cables are connected well at all ends

    Ensure the HD is spinning up when the PC is turned on

    Try another SATA port on the motherboard - you may have to enable it in BIOS

    _

    Source(s): Pro PC tech
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