Is it the motherboard?

srheajr · May 5th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Ok, so when I try to boot up my PC, it won't recognize my SATA HD. It will however pick up the two IDE DVD drives and the video is fine. I have tried the HD on another computer and it worked fine, I replaced the cord to the HD and still nothing. Is it possible I will just need to get a new motherboard?

Aaron_8015 · May 5th, 2009, 03:58 PM

Is this a new build or an existing computer which has suddenly stopped recognising it?

My first guess would be that you need to load the drivers so it will recognise the SATA hard disk.

srheajr · May 5th, 2009, 04:00 PM

It's a computer I have had for about 2 years. The computer was actually just sitting around for around 6 months and when I went to hook it back up, this is the problem I am getting.

How could I load the drivers without a floppy? Through the DVD rom I am assuming?

Edit: It won't even recognize the HD in the BIOS.

Aaron_8015 · May 5th, 2009, 04:08 PM

Well I would start by checking all connections, plugging it into another SATA port if you have one. Mabye even try a different power connector. You said you have tried your hdd in another computer but did you try another hdd in your computer?

srheajr · May 5th, 2009, 04:14 PM

I have tested all of the connections including the power connector. I will need to try another HD on my computer, that is something I had not done. I don't actually have any other SATA HDs though.

Aaron_8015 · May 5th, 2009, 04:17 PM

Well as you have already tested the hard disk on another computer that would lead it to a bad mobo (Most likely the SATA controller) or even a power supply.

#43 fan · May 5th, 2009, 11:38 PM

I would lean more towards a bad motherboard than Power Supply myself, unless all of the SATA power connections are shot (which seems unlikely IMO).
You could also get a SATA controller card.