HDD problem

[denjohn]

Until recently I have used a Hitachi Deskstar 80 GB HDD on my PC, however, the PC froze and when restarted would not even load the bios, sticking on the first page.

I got the PC working using an old 3 GB drive and a 40 GB drive which most of my files are backed up to but has no OS.

Now however the PC fails to recognise the 3 GB drive with the slave connected but works with the slave disconnected.

Both drives are recognised if connected separately.

Has anyone any idea what is happening?

[ACtheTROLL]

depending how old the mobo is .... you may or may not have the option to use cable select.

in olden days you needed to manualy configure your drives as master and slave so when they connected using the same ribbon cable they didn't both try to "talk" at the same time
so

look here
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-h ard-drive.htm

which gives a pretty decent description of how and why

[denjohn]

The two HDD's were configured as master and slave and worked together well until yesterday but now don't

[ACtheTROLL]

oh!

on standard ide it matters that master is on the end ... and slave is in the middle ....of the ribbon

if they have worked together though .....
only other things I can think of

cable faulty

bios not autodetecting two discs (I've seen it before ... 1 fine 2 goes to pot! - but only twice in 15 years)

Power unit faulty ... can't supply enough current for 2 hdds.

other that that nothing comes to mind - other that 3Gb!!!!!
don't think I've ever seen one before ....

If 40 works ... is it worth the effort for only 3Gb?

[denjohn]

The 40GB doesn't have an OS, I was just using the 3GB one as the OS drive. I can't install an OS on the 40GB drive without it formatting it can I?