Hard disk not detected during startupClosed

Question

I have a 3 year old DELL Optiplex 360 PC.The problem started a month ago,when during startup my boot device coudn't detect any harddisk.firstly I thought the disk has crashed,but the next day it started again automatically.

Now when I satrt the PC,the first boot is always unsuccessful.It hangs after the boot starts and then reports that no harddrive is found.then I have to restart the PC 2 or 3 times,after that the Harddisks can be used to boot.There is no apparent reason why this is happening as I have checked viruses and cleaned files,but no improvement at all.moreover,the PC has become very slow,it takes a lot of time to load every program.

MY PC is 2GB ram,250 GB HDD,2.93 GHz machine.I'll be very grateful if someone can help me solve it.I believe you can help me get out of this,Thanks.

Zohaib R · Answer

Hi interpreter,

From your description I understand that the Hard Drive is getting detected intermittently and hence the computer is not booting successfully on every power-on/restart. Recommended solution for this situation is to release any "Flea Power" stored in the computer and then check. To release "Flea Power" disconnect the power cord and any peripherals attached to the computer, press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds and then release. Connect the power cord, monitor, keyboard and mouse only and check if you can successfully boot to Windows. If the issue still persists, take a technician's help or refer to the Service Manual here and re-seat the Hard Drive. 

Note: please go through the "Before Working on Your Computer" section of the manual before you open the chassis.

Do reply with results. 
 
To know more about Dell's products, services and drivers & downloads, please go to http://dell.to/YBlak6

interpreter · Answer

Thanks for your suggestion.I had disconnected the power chord and all the wires connected and then pressed the power button for 20 seconds.but unfortunately the problem still persists.

along with the problem with the boot,now there is a problem with the OS startup.I use WIndows 7 ultimate and it is always logged in as there is only one user.But for last few days when I'm at last able to startup the PC,it turns out that the OS asks automatically for "other user" login,though I haven't logged out of my user ID.Then I have to turn off power 2-3 times before it automatically logs in to user profile.

Thanks really for your help.I'll be very grateful if you can give a expert advise,is it a problem with the harddisk that means it'll crash any moment??Then I'll have to arrange backup.

thanks for your cooperation,really appreciate it :)

Zohaib R · Answer

Hi interpreter,

The logon problem seem to be with Windows Operating System or a Virus Issue. However, to eliminate possibility of any Hardware-failure in general and Hard Drive-failure in particular, please run "Dell 32-bit Diagnostics". Click here to find steps on how to run "Dell 32-bit Diagnostics".  If the diagnostics return any error codes do reply with the same.

To know more about Dell's products, services and drivers & downloads, please go to http://dell.to/YBlak6

interpreter · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion.I had run the diagnostics earlier also but didn't note the error code.after you told me about it,I noted it down.
When the HDD is not detected during startup,the code is 2000-0141.and when it is detected,then another error occurs and the code is 2000-0146.

I hope you can help me solve it. Thanks.

Zohaib R · Answer

Hi interpreter,

Error code 0141 apparently indicates the Hard Drive is not detected and 0146 (DST Log contains previous errors) refers to previous errors in the hard drive which might not really be a hardware failure. As I suggested earlier please try to re-seat the hard drive and ensure the cables are seated correctly, preferably replace the cable or try swapping with the Optical Drive cable. Also ensure the power connector from the power supply to Hard Drive is seated correctly. Then check if the Hard Drive is detected. If the hard drive is detected almost every time, run "Custom Test" on the hard drive which will give the accurate results. If the error code 0146 doesn't appear then the Hard Drive is good and now Operating System can be installed on it.

Do reply with results. 
 
To know more about Dell's products, services and drivers & downloads, please go to http://dell.to/YBlak6

Hard disk not detected during startup

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