Some HDD Issues

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MrColin

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Oct 19, 2014
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Okay, so this is a fools dream from the get go but...

I bought a refurbished computer, which worked fine for a couple months. Then the HDD (drive 1) went.

I took an old HDD (drive 2), and replaced the broken one. Then, I acquired a Windows 7 disc, with the intention of wiping and reformatting drive 2. I put the disc in, and setup for Windows began.

I left setup because setup didn't recognize a drive to install on. Turned everything off, checked internal cable connection (everything was secure), and tried again. This time, not only will it not launch Windows 7 setup, but the boot tried to detect storage devices and came up empty.

Checked boot order in BIOS, prompting it to boot from CD first. Same result. Reset BIOS to default, same result. Any ideas?

Presently, the computer does nothing but boot, and look for storage devices.
 
Solution
ronintexas
Theoretically, any drive can install Windows (you may have to remove the partitions on the drive first by going through a custom install and let Windows create new ones for you). Sometimes it is difficult to get rid of partitions (there is always a way to do it), and it is difficult to determine if a drive is good or bad without running diagnostics on it.

If you buy a new drive, you can install Windows from the DVD.
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MrColin

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Oct 19, 2014
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I think I'm still a few steps away from that. When I initially tried to install Windows, I couldnt proceed, as the PC did not read any hard drive at all.

Now I can't even get to the Windows install screen. I can access BIOS, and that is all. The screen displays the BIOS make and year, and a below that "Detecting Storage Devices." After several minutes, it either goes to "Insert Boot Device and Press a Key," or if I prompted it upon startup it will go to BIOS.
 
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MrColin

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Oct 19, 2014
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One connected to the board.

At some point, I will need a new hard drive. At this point, would it just be easier to start with a brand new hard drive, and ditch the other two? Can a new, unformatted hard drive be added to a system with that formerly ran Windows 7, but currently has no usable OS?
 
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ronintexas

ronintexas

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Dec 10, 2012
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If it is taking "several minutes" to go through the BIOS screen - it is probably because you have problems with the hard drives being detected. This could be the mobo or the drives - easiest way to test is to put the drives in another computer (known good) and test them.

If you go into BIOS - is it showing the drives as installed?
 
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ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
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32,960
Theoretically, any drive can install Windows (you may have to remove the partitions on the drive first by going through a custom install and let Windows create new ones for you). Sometimes it is difficult to get rid of partitions (there is always a way to do it), and it is difficult to determine if a drive is good or bad without running diagnostics on it.

If you buy a new drive, you can install Windows from the DVD.
 
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