Hard Drive

This section identifies some quick checks for hard drive-related problems.

The information provided by the diagnostics tests includes: error code, system serial number, drive serial number, drive model, and drive firmware revision. Specific details of the drive failure are not included.

When you run the diagnostics, the test results are stored in a log. After completing the test, you can print this log to a local printer or save it to a file. Alternatively, before running the test, you can configure the test options to send the results to a local printer or file.

Solutions for some typical hard drive problems are presented in the following table:

Problem

Possible Solution

 

Hard drive error occurs.

Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed. Use a utility to locate and

 

 

block usage of bad sectors. If necessary, reformat the hard disk.

 

Disk transaction problem.

Either the directory structure is bad or there is a problem with a file. In

 

 

Windows 95 and 98, run ScanDisk. Click StartÆ ProgramsÆ

 

 

AccessoriesÆSystem ÆToolsScanDisk.

 

 

In Windows NT, right click Start, click Explo

 

FileÆPropertiesÆTools. Under Error-checking, click

Drive not found.

1. Cable could be loose. Check cable

 

2. The system may not have automatically rec

 

installed device. See reconfiguration“Hardware

direc

 

Installation Problems” section. If system still does not recognize

 

 

the new device, check to see if the device is listed within Computer

 

 

Setup. If it is listed, the probable cause is a driver problem. If it is

 

 

not listed, the probable cause is a hardware problem.

 

 

3. Check drive jumper settings. If the drive is a secondary drive that

 

 

has just been installed on the same controller as the primary drive,

 

 

verify that the jumpers for both drives are set correctly.

 

Nonsystem disk message.

1. The system is trying to start from a diskette that is not bootable.

 

 

Remove the diskette from the diskette drive.

 

 

2. The system is trying to start from the hard drive but the hard drive

 

 

may have been damaged. Insert a bootable diskette into the

 

 

diskette drive and restart the computer.

 

 

3. Diskette boot has been disabled in Computer Setup. Run

 

 

Computer Setup and enable diskette boot.

 

Second Ultra ATA hard drive

The cable is not compatible with the drive type. Reinstall the second

 

does not perform optimally.

Ultra ATA hard drive using an 80-conductor cable.

 

F-6Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics