Harddrive appearing and disappearing randomly...

[Cuda1447]

I run three HDs currently. Never had any problems before, but now Im getting some issues. My third harddirve, the one thats not set up as an IDE is not appearing now. Weird thing is, when I first installed XP home it appeared just fine. Then I rebooted and it was gone. Since then Ive tried rebooting many times to no avail. In the BIOS the HD is recognized just fine though, and I have no changed how the HD is connected at all, just reinstalled XP is all. Not really to sure what to try, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Trashman]

I would check for the chipset drivers for that motherboard as well as any SATA drivers, if that is your 3rd drive "not setup as IDE".

 

[Cuda1447]

Haha, sorry. Should have specified it was SATA - but for some reason I wasn't thinking. Ya, checking the drivers is probably a good idea. Will do. Just seems odd that the HD would show up once without a problem and then start being weird.

 

[Cuda1447]

Hah, here's a new twist. Now the computer restarts and just hangs on a black screen while trying to boot. It posts just fine, just hangs before the win xp screen pulls up.

 

[Trashman]

If not one thing it's another, looks like you'll be busy tonight.
Another thing i would try, disconnect the SATA drive, pull power plug, see if things get better or remain the same.

edit-->thats assuming, it isn't the HD with XP on it, of course.

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

I would back up any data you have, NOW. I had this happen to me as well...eventually the controller on the drive failed altogether and I had to get a new HD.

 

[Cuda1447]

Thanks, will do. I unplugged my sata drive and plugged it back in. After a restart or two things look somewhat stable. Going to defrag all three drives and then give them more of a test tomorrow.

 

[moonsite]

Also, check to see if your PSU is the cause. Might not give enough power to the drives.