HD prob

[phlatline]

A few wks ago this dude gave me his PC, coz he couldn't get it 2 work. I tore it apart & discovered the HD was fried. I mean, REALLY fried. I replaced it twice, & yet the mobo still doesn't detect the master IDE/HD. So, now I'm starting 2 wonder if sumthin happened 2 the drv connectors when the HD went? Or, maybe I've just had rotten luck w/HDs. What u think?
Here's sum info on the "Problem Child"
CPU: Cyrix 6x86 clocking @166MHz
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1Gb
FPU: Internal
ROM Date: 98
Model: AT clone
2 Serial
1 Parallel
Active Video: VESA VGA ver 2.0
Floppy
CD ROM
& of course there is no OS
Any thoughts would b great.
Phlatline

[phlatline]

Also, I 4got 2 mention, that I can boot from the floppy/cd rom.

[meese]

I'm thinking the IDE controller may have gotten wiped when the hard drive failed. Did you try it on the other IDE controller?

[elroy]

I too would consider the possibilty of a failed IDE controller. Try a drive on the secondary IDE connection and if it is bad too then you'll have to get an add-on controller card that goes in an ISA or PCI slot. Probably get a used one for $5 or so.

[phlatline]

Yes, I have tried a new IDE, & that didn't work. Where should I go 4 the add-on controller card?

[Reknup]

Is this computer even worth keeping

I smash my computers with a bat when they get that old

Its fun!

[phlatline]

I like trying 2 save them if I can. Call it a hobbie.

[DoctorReno]

When you say you tried a new IDE did you use the SECONDARY IDE channel and not just a new IDE cable on the primary IDE channel?
Also, when you put these new drives in, are you going into the BIOS and having the new drive detected and configured for the correct IDE channel?
Next, are you jumpering the HD's correctly for Master/Slave?

[phlatline]

No, but I will try it in secondary, have it correctly set 4 master/slave, & no (shoot!) I 4got 2 go in2 BIOS.
Thanx!

[DoctorReno]

It's always the simplest thing that one over looks ain't it. I do it all the time myself.
I'm betting that the BIOS is the problem and that both your Primary and Secodary IDE channels are just fine and you can use the standard configuration of the HD on the primary master location.
Let us know.