HD not recognizing in computer

[samzee71]

Hi computer gurus

The IDE hard drive in my old laptop is not being recognized. It was working fine for a long time.

I tried connecting it on the second laptop and thru the USB port (using an external HD enclosure). But it would not recognize the hard drive.

I have some useful data on this hard drive and i dont have backup of it.

Is there any way I can make it connect to the computer (directly or thru USB port) and copy my files?

Please advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MindoverMaster]

Welcome to TF! Guru sounds better than nerds.

Can you see it in BIOS?

At what time does it become non-responsive? after POST?

 

[95BlackGA]

There's a chance that the drive is dead. Just had to get that out there...

Note : Laptop PATA (IDE) is not the same connection as a desktop PATA. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE CORRECT CONNECTION ON THE HARD DRIVE.

It seems you have a 2.5in laptop pata to usb adaper.

When using this adapter, are you using an external power supply? This is a must have for these type of adapters, as USB (or even desktop PATA connection) do not carry enough voltage to power the drives on.

Does the drive spin-up when connected? (Can you feel it start to vibrate a little?)

Does the BIOS in the old laptop (from which the drive came out), recognize the drive at all?

 

[samzee71]

I see "NONE" in BIOS for "HDD Model Name" and "HDD Serial Number".

 

[samzee71]

When I start the computer, I get the below error:
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
Operating System not found

The BIOS doesnot recognize the hard drive.

 

[95BlackGA]

I see "NONE" in BIOS for "HDD Model Name" and "HDD Serial Number".

Is that while it's connected to the old laptop internally, or via USB adapter? If it's in the old laptop, chances are you most likely have a failed PCB, which CAN be replaced, if you can find a working PCB or hard drive that is the same model. Some PC shops specialize in this kind of thing, but with that word "specialize" comes with "NOT CHEAP". Someone with good skills can replace the PCB rather easily. Or you could have a failed IDE channel on the laptop.

If it's on the USB, there could still be hope. A lot of BIOS do not recognize USB devices, even some newer ones. So that could be a problem. Or you could have a power problem (if you haven't hooked up an external power supply).

Please, for us to help you, you have to help us. Give us the information we ask for, and more, if you can. This will make us better understand the situation, and be able to readily fix the problem, or point you in the right way.

When I start the computer, I get the below error:
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
Operating System not found

The BIOS doesnot recognize the hard drive.

Try reinserting the drive to the connector. That's usually what solves this problem. If that doesn't work, the PCB or IDE controller is most likely your problem gone.

(Please use the edit button next time, if no one has replied back yet.)

 

[samzee71]

Is that while it's connected to the old laptop internally, or via USB adapter?

The BIOS doesnot show any HD info when drive is connected internally.

Or you could have a failed IDE channel on the laptop.

What do you mean by IDE channel?

If it's on the USB, there could still be hope. A lot of BIOS do not recognize USB devices, even some newer ones. So that could be a problem. Or you could have a power problem (if you haven't hooked up an external power supply).

When connected to USB port (using 2.5in HD Enclosure), the computer displays MASS STORAGE DEVICE FOUND and READY TO USE notifications, but the drive is not listed in Windows Explorer. I guess this notification is for the drive enclosure and not for drive inside the enclosure.

Try reinserting the drive to the connector. That's usually what solves this problem. If that doesn't work, the PCB or IDE controller is most likely your problem gone.

I tried reinserting the drive few times. But this didn't helped. This drive doesn't work on different working computer also. And the working drive from working computer works on this computer. This makes me feel that the IDE controller on this laptop is working fine.

 

[95BlackGA]

Yeah, this is basically the worst case scenario, the drive has failed. Be that internally or just the PCB. They data will be very difficult to recover. If you can replace the PCB, and that's what failed, that would be the cheapest option, if it's motor failure or even platter failure, you'll have to send it to recovery specialists, and that is NOT cheap. I hope you good luck in getting your data, but if it's not that important, scrap the drive.