- No Fixed Disks Present
- Posted by DL on January 22nd, 2006
Over the summer time I performed a clean install of Windows 95 on an old Dell
Dimension XPS P75. I had the system working in top condition until a few
weeks ago when I booted it up and tried to logon to the internet. As soon as
the modem began dialing, the computer completely froze. I tried rebooting
and no response occured when I hit CNT-Alt-Del, so I decided to shut the
computer off. When I booted the computer backup, I heard a clunking noise
occur and I then received a blank screen explaining that NO Operating System
was present. Hearing that noise or the death rattle I like to call it, I
knew the drive had failed. I tried booting the system with my Windows 95
boot disk and ran the Fdisk utility to check the status of the drive. I
received the error message "NO Fixed Disks Present" upon running Fdisk. The
hard drive was a Quantum Pro 540AT. I rebooted repeatedly and checked my
BIOS setup to ensure that AUTO was selected to detect the drive. So, I
decided to do a little checking around on Ebay and found a comparable drive.
I purchased a Quantum Pro 720AT that was tested and in working condition
according to the seller. When the drive arrived I installed it and again
tried to run Fdisk. I received the same message "No Fixed Disks Present." I
decided to take the computer over to a friend's house where we tested both
drives on one of his older PCs. The original drive had indeed failed as his
computer could not detect it, but the purchased drive did indeed work and
booted up with Windows 98. I found this quite humorous as the individual who
sold me the drive forgot to at least format it. Would a difference of 208 MB
make a difference in my PC in detecting this new drive using FDisk? I tried
to find a BIOS update to flash my BIOS but Dell quit supporting this relic
quite a long time ago. All I can find on their website is technical
specifications and schematics of my PC model. I made sure that the jumper
was set as Master and BIOS settings were set at AUTO. I still cannot get the
PC to recognize this new hard drive. Is it possible that when the drive
failed/crashed that it also damaged the IDE controller on the motherboard?
Any advice or personal experience with this issue would be appreciated.
- Posted by Jon_Hildrum on January 22nd, 2006
I have had several hard drive fail over the years but never the controller.
However, it is possible that you have a motherboard (controller) problem.
I would suggest is quite unlikely to have both fail at the same time.
Try going to Maxtor and look for a utility to check quantum harddrives. Then
use your computer to check the drive. Also while there find the
specifications for the new drive and check in bios that the drive is listed
properly.
--
Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP
Jon_Hildrum@msn.com
www.hildrum.com
"DL" <DL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:38E615B7-7750-43BD-8E57-9F53188076D1@microsoft.com...
- Posted by Glen on January 22nd, 2006
Maybe the bios of the XPS 75 doesn't recognize drives larger then 540 MB.
You may need a drive overlay program or maybe a bios upgrade to be able to
use the 720 MB drive.
"DL" <DL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:38E615B7-7750-43BD-8E57-9F53188076D1@microsoft.com...
- Posted by Jeff Richards on January 23rd, 2006
Try setting the BIOS drive configuration manually. AUTO may not be
detecting the drive correctly.
Double check the drive jumpering, and the cable connection including power.
Sometimes making changes to one part of an old system creates problems in
other parts.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"DL" <DL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:38E615B7-7750-43BD-8E57-9F53188076D1@microsoft.com...
- Posted by DL on January 26th, 2006
Thank you all for your insightful advice. I did indeed try to enter the
drive configuration manually from technical specs printed on the new drive.
This did not resolve the issue either. Jumper settings were configured
correctly and cabled correctly from drive to motherboard. My friend and I
thought that the computer would also have a hard time detecting a drive over
512MB. I am aware that Fdisk has certain limits of partioning drives and a
drive overlay utility could help. A BIOS update could also be a possible
fix, but I was unable to find one for my specific system on Dell's website.
I believe that I am going to just give up and retire the PC. This PC lasted
over 12 years but I used it very little as new OS evolved. Thank you all.
"Jeff Richards" wrote:
