Question

Unable to install windows on Dell Precision 650 (Primary HDD not found)

Asked by: gbrat

I have a Dell Precision 650 that I'm trying to load Windows on but can't.

Every time i start up this machine with a XP load disk in it gives me the error 'Primary hard disk drive 0/1 not found'. In the boot sequencei it shows HDD and CD-ROM as not installed. The HDD show up as unknown devices.

I believe I need some sort of boot disk for the SCSI HDD's? Below are the bios settings that i think might be notable:


In the BIOS
-under Primary Drive 0 and Primary Drive 1 it says 'unknown device'
-under Boot Sequence it shows 'HDD not installed' and 'CD-ROM not installed'
-under 'Integrated Devices (LegacySelect Options)' i have the option to turn SCSI Controller on/off
-There is also an 'OS Install Mode' with on/off settings


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Asked On
2009-01-08 at 11:44:38ID24036257
Tags

SCSI

,

Unknown device HDD

Topics

General Computer Systems

,

Personal Computers

,

Microsoft Operating Systems

Participating Experts
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Points
129
Comments
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Answers

 

by: kory1006Posted on 2009-01-08 at 12:02:40ID: 23329481

You will need to download the hard drive controller drivers from Dell's website.  Once you have these you will then hit F6 at the beginning of the Windows XP installation to specify those drivers.  Give me a minute and ill see if I can come up with a link.

 

by: kory1006Posted on 2009-01-08 at 12:07:24ID: 23329542

As mikelfritz suggested those are the two drivers you will need.  There was also a 3rd listed;

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~mode=popup&file=63060

 

by: gbratPosted on 2009-01-08 at 12:19:48ID: 23329662

The problem is that i can't get it to boot from CD-ROM.

Boot Sequence in BIOS shows 'CD-ROM Device (not installed)'

Its plugged in and lights up???

 

by: kory1006Posted on 2009-01-08 at 12:39:13ID: 23329881

You may want to double check the cables attached to the hard drive and CDROM.  Obviosly the power is going to the CDROM if it lights up, but the data cable may not be securely attached at either the motherboard or the device itself.

 

by: mikelfritzPosted on 2009-01-08 at 12:45:03ID: 23329954

Maybe reset the system bios to factory defaults as well.  In the bios setup select restore factory defaults - or <alt>-F  or <alt>-9

One of those should reset it.

 

by: nobusPosted on 2009-01-09 at 00:57:05ID: 23333750

start with the minimum connected :
mobo + cpu + ram, video card, keyboard + mouse.
connect the disk ; veriffy in the bios if it is seen correctly; and do the same for the CD drive.
if one is not seen, try another disk or cd drive, it can be bad - or try other cables.
resetting the bios may help - as said

 

by: imadimadPosted on 2009-01-09 at 08:01:38ID: 23336814

Windows XP Setup Could Not Detect and Find Any SATA Hard Disk Drive on AHCI Mode.
Please read the following link http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/10/23/windows-xp-setup-could-not-detect-and-find-any-sata-hard-disk-drive-on-ahci-mode/
Regards,
 

 

by: gbratPosted on 2009-01-09 at 11:03:21ID: 23339058

Ok, i've opened the case and checked all connections. There are no SCSI drives inside, only 'hot swappable' IDE drives (x2).

There are two IDE connections on the MOBO and it had one cable connecting one hard drive and the CD-ROM and the other connector going to one HD. I've tried disconnecting them all and doing various arrangements but the only drive the BIOS detects is the floppy drive, no CD-ROM or HD.

I don't think there is any hardware problems, i have a few of these all doing the same thing.

Why won't it detect the CD-ROM? Is there some sort of controller i need to install from a floppy/boot disk?

Here is a link to a mobo diagram
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws650/smen/mabout.htm#1161251

Installing HD instructions. It says to use a bootable floppy to enter setup?
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws650/smen/mdrvs.htm#1105878

 

by: nobusPosted on 2009-01-10 at 00:31:32ID: 23342769

>>  one cable connecting one hard drive and the CD-ROM    <<  is that connected to connector 1 on the diagram
>>  other connector going to one HD.   <<  connected to connector 9 ?
how are the cd drive and disk jumpered? both C/S or disk Master and cd Slave ?

 

by: mikelfritzPosted on 2009-01-10 at 10:43:05ID: 23344747

You could try downloading XP setup Floppys and see if it sees the CD/HD once booted from Floppy:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

So you said you have multiple 650's all showing no drives in BIOS?

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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