I replaced the hard drive in my desktop pc and the bios won't recognize it. I took the following steps several times and also checked the drive connections:
-Start pc with win 7, 64bit disc
Windows is loading
Starting Windows
-Install starts
Install now
Setup is starting
License page
Custom install
Where do you want to install...
-No HD's are listed!!!!
HP Pavillion s3420f
AMD Antholon 64bit, Dual Core Processor 5400+
4GB installed memory
Bios V.5.10, 12/11/2007
WESTERN DIGITAL: WD5000AAKX, 500GB
Thanks for any help in resolving this issue, gb
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Question
Answers (6)
0
Votes
Have you entered the BIOS setup?
You probably need to enter the BIOS setup at power on and either enter the disc
parameters manually or let it automatically detect the new hard drive. Once you've
done that, then save the changes and reboot and try your installation disc.
Here's a page that may help (might not be your exact model, but is close)
h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02961221&tmp_task=setupCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3688732
(To access just copy and paste into your browser address bar)
parameters manually or let it automatically detect the new hard drive. Once you've
done that, then save the changes and reboot and try your installation disc.
Here's a page that may help (might not be your exact model, but is close)
h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02961221&tmp_task=setupCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3688732
(To access just copy and paste into your browser address bar)
Updated - 17th Jul
0
Votes
yes, I enterd the bios
The bios page for the disc parameter is greyed out, cannot make the entries. On the Advanced tab, the SATA Controller only has Enabled or Disabled. Do you have any other ideas? I will probably take the drive to local vendor to see if it is ALIVE. 
19th Jul
0
Votes
So is the drive Identified at all in BIOS?
Generally in the First BIOS Screen with the Date & Time the HDD/s are listed is the drive shown here at all? This can differ depending on the BIOS Maker though.
Also do SATA Drives get listed or are they on a different section. The SATA Controller needs to be set to Enabled and you need to save the Changes as you Exit the BIOS.
If the drive is not showing you'll need to check the SATA Data Lead and or the Power Lead to it and make sure that the Data Lead is correctly plugged onto the M'Board and ideally on the Lowest Number SATA Connector. If you are at all concerned about the Power Lead that means changing the Power Supply which isn't such a bad thing most times.
Also in the SATA Configuration is there anything relating to RAID Arrays? If there is this needs to be turned off so the system is not looking for a RAID Array instead of individual HDD's.
Col
Also do SATA Drives get listed or are they on a different section. The SATA Controller needs to be set to Enabled and you need to save the Changes as you Exit the BIOS.
If the drive is not showing you'll need to check the SATA Data Lead and or the Power Lead to it and make sure that the Data Lead is correctly plugged onto the M'Board and ideally on the Lowest Number SATA Connector. If you are at all concerned about the Power Lead that means changing the Power Supply which isn't such a bad thing most times.
Also in the SATA Configuration is there anything relating to RAID Arrays? If there is this needs to be turned off so the system is not looking for a RAID Array instead of individual HDD's.
Col
Updated - 21st Jul
0
Votes
Is the SATA Controller Enabled?
In order for the BIOS to see your SATA drive, the SATA controller must be enabled.
After you enable the SATA controller, you may need to "Save Settings and Exit" BIOS setup before the BIOS will be able to see the hard drive.
I have also had bad SATA cables cause the drive to not be recognized.
Chas
After you enable the SATA controller, you may need to "Save Settings and Exit" BIOS setup before the BIOS will be able to see the hard drive.
I have also had bad SATA cables cause the drive to not be recognized.
Chas
21st Jul
1
Vote
smells like a bad BIOS, disk, controller, or any combination . . .
HP Pavillion s3420f
- that system was OEM vista on a 500GB HDD
so we're not looking at a size problem
why was the previous disk replaced?
if
the controller died
the BIOS died
or
the HDD died
any one of those could have taken out one or more of the others
I had a floppy drive bake a system BIOS one time
get the new HDD tested either with another system or the place you bought it from
I have received on more than one occasion a new in the box never used
DOA HDD that wasn't recognized by the system and another that wouldn't even spin up
since 2007, I test all my HDDs free standing with a USB adapter before I waste any time opening a case to install it
- that system was OEM vista on a 500GB HDD
so we're not looking at a size problem
why was the previous disk replaced?
if
the controller died
the BIOS died
or
the HDD died
any one of those could have taken out one or more of the others
I had a floppy drive bake a system BIOS one time
get the new HDD tested either with another system or the place you bought it from
I have received on more than one occasion a new in the box never used
DOA HDD that wasn't recognized by the system and another that wouldn't even spin up
since 2007, I test all my HDDs free standing with a USB adapter before I waste any time opening a case to install it
21st Jul
0
Votes
start from the start.
1. recheck all your cables.
2. power up the system with your hand on the disk drive. Can you feel it spin up? If not - it's not getting power or it's dead.
3. boot to bios - can you see the HDD at all. You said the options are greyed out. if it is not recognising the disk - look for an "auto detect HDD" setting. If you get nowhere here --
4. power down. Plug the data cable into another sata port on the motherboard. Note please...the purple ones are usually for RAID - go for a yellow or green one.
5. no luck?? - try the old disk drive, or another one and see if the bios can see it.
6. Try removing the cmos battery for 5 minutes to reset the bios and try again.
Graeme
2. power up the system with your hand on the disk drive. Can you feel it spin up? If not - it's not getting power or it's dead.
3. boot to bios - can you see the HDD at all. You said the options are greyed out. if it is not recognising the disk - look for an "auto detect HDD" setting. If you get nowhere here --
4. power down. Plug the data cable into another sata port on the motherboard. Note please...the purple ones are usually for RAID - go for a yellow or green one.
5. no luck?? - try the old disk drive, or another one and see if the bios can see it.
6. Try removing the cmos battery for 5 minutes to reset the bios and try again.
Graeme
22nd Jul
