Harddrive not showing up

[technophreak]

Hi,

This morning my computer wouldn't boot at all, it was getting stuck just before where XP shows the login screen. I eventually got it to boot and now I've just realised my D drive isnt showing up. I've tried rebooting a few times and connecting it to a different IDE cable but nothing changes. Is my drive dead? If so, it might be time to buy that 200gb Maxtor in bargains.

Thanks,

Tez

[0iD]

try Start>programs>administrative tools>computer management>disk management & see if the disk is displyed there.
Does it show up in the BIOS? If it doesn't then re-detect drives. Still nothing, try a new ide/sata cable. still nothing after that then it's a goner.
If it shows in the BOIS then it may just need activating in the disk manager within windoze.

[technophreak]

Doesn't show up in disk management. Going to check BIOS now.

edit: It shows up in the BIOS now and Windows shows it again. Weird. Thanks for the help.

[technophreak]

My PC froze so I rebooted and the drive is gone again. I've looked in disk management, the BIOS and rebooted a few times and still nothing. Is my PC knackered?

[0iD]

Maybe the cable, maybe the drive, maybe even the mobo if it's old. Try a new cable & make sure the power connector to the drive isn't lose.

[EvilMunky]

This kind of thing can happen.

as said above its possible that its just the cable - or it could be the ide / sata controller has failed.

Could even be that the drive is on the way out.

Normally tho you tend to find its just a loose piece of wiring or something. Have you added any new devices to your pc lately?

[technophreak]

I've not added anything recently. I'm in the process of speccing a new gaming pc because this is 4 years old now so I'm just gonna put up with it for a month of so until I get my new PC.