SATA HDD not detected in bios. But sometimes it does. Solved/Closed

Question

Hello, 
recently my pc has started malfunctioning. windows will not boot! when I enter setup (bios) I cant see my hdd. sometimes its there and sometimes not! when I boot to repair disk (when the hdd is detected) and run startup repair it shows like this : "root cause found : the partion table does not have a valid system partition". and sometimes (when hdd is not detected) it shows: system repair cant resolve this issue. in diskpart I cant see my drives. anyway I decided to run super fdisk to correct my partion table. but when I boot to it, it does not detect a hdd. also I did a change in the bios I changed the sata controller from ACHI TO ATA. but when I tried ACHI it does not detect my hdd. currently I have a cd with super fdisk loaded. ready to boot. but cant see my hdd. what to do?


System Configuration: / Opera 9.80

Zohaib R · Accepted Answer

Hi firewolf123,

I am providing the steps for a Desktop machine. Try these steps and check if this fixes the problem:

1. Disconnect the power cable from the computer tower. 
2. Press and hold the power button for at least 15 seconds to remove the residual power. 
3. Open the computer cover. 
4. Reseat (disconnect and reconnect) the Hard Drive connections (both SATA and power connectors) and check if the computer boots. If the computer works fine the issue is fixed, otherwise follow the next step. 
5. Connect the Hard Drive to other SATA ports on the motherboard. If the Hard Drive is detected, one of the SATA ports on the motherboard is bad. If the Hard Drive is still not detected follow the next step. 
6. Try a different SATA cable and see if the Hard Drive is detected. If the Hard Drive is detected, the problem is with the SATA cable and has to be replaced. Else, follow the next step. 
7. If possible, check the Hard Drive by connecting it to another computer. If the Hard Drive works fine in another computer, the motherboard is bad and needs replacement. If the Hard Drive is not detected in another computer also, you need to replace the Hard Drive.

Note: The steps above require you to reseat the components by removing the system cover/taking apart the chassis. Please perform these steps only if you are comfortable else seek a technician's help. Also, refer to the Service Manual for accurate steps and safety instructions.

Do reply with results.

Zohaib R · Answer

Hi firewolf123,

From your post it seems Hard Drive is being detected intermittently. With slight modification I would recommend the steps in my previous reply again, this time specific to Dell Vostro 1450. Please follow the steps below and check if this fixes the problem:

1.	Confirm Hard Drive is recognized in BIOS. Hit F2 on initial startup at Dell Logo and check if the Hard Drive in the "Fixed HDD" field of the "Main" screen. If yes, follow step 4 onwards. If NO, "Load Defaults" by pressing F9 and then F10 to save. 
2.	If the Hard Drive is still not detected reseat the Hard Drive. For steps on how to reseat the Hard Drive please refer to the Service Manual.
3.	If still not detected, Hard Drive needs to be replaced. *
4.	Run PSA and confirm no errors on HDD. To run PSA, press and hold the `Fn' key on the keyboard and then press the power button to start the computer. If test fails, do reply with the error code (Note: perform complete tests and make a not any errors that appear).
5.	If no errors are found boot to Safe mode and perform system restore. If system restore fails or unable to access safe mode, follow next step.
6.	Run Start Up repair (Vista and Win 7 only). 

Note: The steps above require you to reseat the components by removing the system cover/taking apart the chassis. Please perform these steps only if you are comfortable else seek a technician's help. Also, refer to the Service Manual for accurate steps and safety instructions.

* In case of expired warranty scenario, I would be able to provide limited support, which will not cover part replacement, software support and onsite technician.
Do reply with results.

felixq78 · Answer

I have Two internal HDD of 2TB each apart from the 40GB HDD which holds the Operating system. These 2 x 2TB HDD are for storage only.
About 10 days ago I started having trouble similar to yours where the storage HDDs weren't being recognised by the BIOS or my Linux OS. This was intermittent and eventually it occurred every time I logged on. Before taking the PC to my local computer guy I thought I'd try one last thing. I opened the box, unplugged the power and the data cables and reconnected them and reversing them in the process.i.e. power for one was plugged into the other and the same with the data cables. When I restarted the PC the problem had resolved itself with both 2TB HDD working perfectly. I guess the contacts must have been dirty or corroded and by reconnecting them the dirt or corrosion was cleared. I hope this helps others with the same problem.

Miggin · Answer

Not sure if this is relevant to your motherboard on not? I have an Asus P8z77, it has 5 drives connected - 2 are on the Intel SATA 6 controller 1 is the DVD drive on the Intel sata 3 controller the other two hard drives are connected to SATA 6 controller which is MARVEL - both of the drives on the Marvel controller DO NOT show up in the BIOS - but are working in Windows.

SATA HDD not detected in bios. But sometimes it does.

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