XP install did not find hard drive

[esthershensh]

HI,


My desktop cannot boot up. I tried to reinstall windows XP.


My BIOS (setup) can recognize the hard drive. but when I use OS CD to
reinstall XP, after loading files, chose continue install XP, I got
error message, cannot find hard drive. the only option is F3 to quit
installation.


and my hard drive had click sound now..

I doubt hard drive had some problem. I had did chkdsk from recovery
console, but only 52% complete, chkdsk utility exit with "some part
cannot recovered" message.


any idea why BIOS can see hard drive, but installation software cannot
find hard drive...


your suggestion would be very appreciated..

 

[Malke]

HI,


My desktop cannot boot up. I tried to reinstall windows XP.


My BIOS (setup) can recognize the hard drive. but when I use OS CD to
reinstall XP, after loading files, chose continue install XP, I got
error message, cannot find hard drive. the only option is F3 to quit
installation.


and my hard drive had click sound now..

I doubt hard drive had some problem. I had did chkdsk from recovery
console, but only 52% complete, chkdsk utility exit with "some part
cannot recovered" message.


any idea why BIOS can see hard drive, but installation software cannot
find hard drive...

I can't imagine why you would think you *don't* have a hardware problem.
You most definitely do. I would start by testing the hard drive as
follows:

Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually you
will download the file and make a bootable floppy or cd with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.

Obviously you will need to get the utility from a working computer. If
you don't have one or hardware diagnosis is not your thing, take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
equivalent of BigStoreUSA). There is no shame in doing this; I don't
hesitate to call a plumber when the sink doesn't work.

Malke

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

You are experiencing hard drive failure.. buy a new one.. it will save you
hours of getting nowhere.. when building and loading a computer, if all of
the component parts are not working as they should, the whole process
becomes a nightmare..

 

[esthershensh]

Thanks..

I have tried to run the diagnostics on the hard drive, but either
diagnostics program hung or cannot find the hard drive...

I think probably the hard drive is bad...
I would buy a new one..

Thanks.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

You're welcome.. and good luck..