PC Does Not Recognize HD???

[robert t]

I had to have a Computer shop erase the HD in my Dell Dimension 8250
because Windows XP gave me an error message that Windows Explorer was
closing down. That put me in a loop I couldn"t get out of. The error
message kept coming back and I couldn't access the START menu. I had 2
partitions(C&D) on the PC. Tried to reformat(erase) the C partiton
using FDISK but that wouldn't work. I wanted to try a clean install.
Took the HD to a computer place where they reformatted the entire HD. I
thought I could then use FDISK to repartition, reformat and do a clean
install but my PC will not even recognize my HD at all now. I am backed
up on an ext. HD so I have my data accessable through my laptop but I
want to get my Dimension 8250 going again and don't know what I should
do.
Maybe the computer place erased something that Dell put on the HD which
is why the computer won't recognize it. There are 4 lights on the back
of my computer which should all be green after boot up but one stays
orange. I have thoroughly checked cable connections, etc. I don't know
if the HD has gone bad, but am afraid that if I buy a new HD the PC may
not recogize it either. All comments, suggestions would be appreciated.
Robert

 

[Richard Urban]

You took the computer for repair and they gave it back to you in a non
functional state?

Bring it back to them and tell them to fix it right this time!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Jim]

I had to have a Computer shop erase the HD in my Dell Dimension 8250
because Windows XP gave me an error message that Windows Explorer was
closing down. That put me in a loop I couldn"t get out of. The error
message kept coming back and I couldn't access the START menu. I had 2
partitions(C&D) on the PC. Tried to reformat(erase) the C partiton
using FDISK but that wouldn't work. I wanted to try a clean install.
Took the HD to a computer place where they reformatted the entire HD. I
thought I could then use FDISK to repartition, reformat and do a clean
install but my PC will not even recognize my HD at all now. I am backed
up on an ext. HD so I have my data accessable through my laptop but I
want to get my Dimension 8250 going again and don't know what I should
do.
Maybe the computer place erased something that Dell put on the HD which
is why the computer won't recognize it. There are 4 lights on the back
of my computer which should all be green after boot up but one stays
orange. I have thoroughly checked cable connections, etc. I don't know
if the HD has gone bad, but am afraid that if I buy a new HD the PC may
not recogize it either. All comments, suggestions would be appreciated.
Robert

The light color is supposed to be yellow. However, it seems that three
green lights and one yellow one indicated a loose cable, etc. But you have
already checked that. My suggestion is to take it back to the repair place.
The manual says contact Dell in this case.
Jum

 

[Al Romanosky]

Several comments - do not know if any will help:
1. Previous file system may have been NTFS - problems for
FDISK.
2. Evidently you took the HD to the shop - not the computer?
3. Were system files installed at time of reformatting?
4. If not- HD will not boot - message to insert system disk
usually pops up.
5. Message at boot that an operating system was not found
usually indicates failure of BIOS to recognize the HD.
6. I believe Dell used boards by "MSI" with the diagnostic
leds - usually used at times when computer will not boot
and usually indicates presence (or not) of pre-post and
post voltages.
7. Dell service may tell you significance of leds - keep in
mind they follow scripts.
8. An example of when a Win ME startup disk is worth its weight
in gold - even with NTFS

 

[robert t]

Thank you very much for your input.
Your comments are pertinent and here is the situation.
-This mess started when I decided to put XP PRO in my Dell Dimension
8250. I bought it used about 18 mos. ago and it was worked OK. Only 1
problem: It would not shut down and reboot using the restart button. I
had to click the restart button, waint until the "savings settings" went
off and when it said "Windows is shutting down" I would power down
manually and then power back up. It had XP Home on it with reinstall
disks for that OS which said for Dell computers only.
-I purchased what I thought was a new unused version of XP PRO on
ebay(a mistake) as I got a Dell only OEM v of XP Pro. I should have
been suspicous, as it was not described as for Dell computers only. But
I thought that I have a Dell so maybe it will work. WRONG! I installed it
but after I went online and downloaded upgrades and SP2 it gave me an
error message that windows explorer was closng down. No matter what I
did I could not get out of that loop.
-Finally I tried to reformat C drive with FDISK which is on a boot up v.
of WinME. But this wouldn't work even though the C partition had been
formatted in FAT32 originally.
-I called around and found a computer shop that would reformat(erase)
the HD for $25 so I took out the HD and had them do that.
-Ever since, the computer will not recognize the HD no matter what.
-The 4 LED lights should all be green but one is orange. The manual
says to check your cable connections and/or contact Dell. I have
checked the connections and they are solid. Computer is out of warranty
-So tomorrow I will take the HD plus the computer to the computer place
and see what they say. I imagine they have some type of solution(s),
but it all comes down to cost. If they are not able to fix the problem
easily and want to charge a heavy fee, then it may not be worth it. I
paid about $500 for the computer 18 mos ago, and $104 for the illegimate
XP Pro on eBay(which I should be able to get back less $25 thru eBays
insurance program).
-The problem is that it appears that the HD is totally erased, and the
XP Home that was on it when I bought it came with reinstall disks for
Dell computers only where there already was an installation on the HD.
So the computer shop may not be able to use that to get XP Home back on.
The alternatives may be too costly to justify
-I know this is lengthy, but it is hard to offer suggestions unless one
knows the whole picture. Thanks much.
Robert