Just built a computer, hard drive problems

[xxsomethingxx]

I put the computer together and when i start up to set up the BIOS it says no hard drive detected, I have all the cables hooked up to it but it still doesn't detect it. What's the problem here? Also, to set up BIOS do I have to put in the motherboard CD?

First time doing this, sorry for the question.

Edit: It also says express gate is not installed... this is this needed?

 

[Spit-wad]

Also, to set up BIOS do I have to put in the motherboard CD?

No, you should not have to.

I'll let someone else give you some troubleshooting advice... but first thing's first: do you hear any odd noises coming from the hard drive when it's powered on?

 

[xxsomethingxx]

Not that I can hear... There's only two connections in the back of it right? The data
cable and the power cable? I have two of them in the back, but there's a pin connector too, what's this for? Is this why it's not working? It won't go to the BIOS because it goes to a screen that tells me to reboot and put in a boot CD.

 

[Spit-wad]

The other thing you're talking about is most likely the jumper. The little plastic piece can be removed to give you a different configuration for your hdd... you should look in the hard drive manual (should be able to find it online if it didn't come with one).

I don't think that would be causing the problem you have, but it's a possibility... what kind of hard drive do you have?

At any rate, when you install the OS you will most likely be installing it from a disc, so you will want to boot from your CD drive with the OS CD in anyways, but it should be able to recognize the hdd before this.

 

[xxsomethingxx]

Figured it out, didn't plug it into the SATA0 slot. Thanks for the help.

Now, do I have to install the OS?

 

[Spit-wad]

Yup, put in the disc and boot from your cd drive

 

[xxsomethingxx]

When do I use my motherboard/video card/wireless card cds?

 

[veg1992]

After you've installed Windows or Linux or w/e you chose to install