PREMIO Computer, Inc. Troubleshooting Guide : IDE Hard Disk Drive

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Last revised:
10/13/1998

PREMIO Troubleshooting Guide
IDE Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Jump to the self-diagnostic flowchart, or select the specific problem you're having with your IDE HDD:

I can't boot from my IDE HDD
The BIOS does not detect my IDE HDD
The IDE HDD performance is slow in Windows 9x
The drive is not getting power

I CAN'T BOOT FROM MY IDE HDD
1. Follow this
diagnostic flowchart to determine if your IDE HDD is bootable.

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THE BIOS DOES NOT DETECT MY IDE HDD
1. Make sure the IDE cable and power connector is connected properly.
2. An IDE HDD have two settings: either master or slave. If you only have one IDE HDD, then it should be setup for master. Consult your IDE HDD manual for the master/slave jumper setting.
3. Enter the BIOS setup and perform an IDE HDD or Hard Disk Drive auto detection.
4. If the BIOS does not see the IDE HDD, make sure the HDD is getting power. Put your hand on the HDD and you should feel it vibrate while it is spinning; try a different power connector if the HDD does not vibrate. Also, try replacing the IDE cable.
5. If the BIOS still does not detect the HDD, then you may have a defective HDD or a bad onboard IDE controller.

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THE IDE HDD PERFORMANCE IS SLOW IN WINDOWS 9X
1. If you're using Windows 95/98, then this is usually caused by being in MS-DOS compatibility mode.
2. Click
here to see how to get out of MS-DOS compatibility mode.

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THE DRIVE IS NOT GETTING POWER
1. Try another power connector; if that does not work, then you may have a defective HDD.

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SELF-DIAGNOSTIC FLOWCHART
Begin at the START symbol, and follow the flowchart below to troubleshoot your problem. Remember to click on the GREEN boxes for more detailed instructions!

IDE HDD Troubleshooting Flowchart - 27K

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CONNECT IDE HDD CABLE AND POWER CONNECTOR
1. Before opening the system, make sure it is powered off with the power cord unplugged.
2. Eliminate static discharge by first touching the back of the power supply unit.
3. Once the case cover is removed, locate the IDE HDD. There are two connections to the drive itself: the power connector and the IDE CD-ROM cable. Make sure both of those items are secure.
4. Also, make sure the IDE cable connector to the system board is also secure.
5. Try a different power connector if you're not getting any power to the HDD.

SETUP HDD FOR MASTER OR SLAVE SETTING
1. IDE HDD have two settings: master or slave. If you only have one HDD, then configure it for master. If you are adding another IDE HDD to the same cable, then setup the new IDE HDD as slave.
2. Consult your IDE HDD manual for the proper master/slave jumper setting.

CHECK FOR MS-DOS COMPATIBILITY MODE
1. You can check for MS-DOS compatibility mode by going to START / Settings / Control Panel / System / Performance. Under the Performance status it will tell you if you're in MS-DOS compatibility mode or not.
2. Click
here to see how to get out of MS-DOS compatibility mode.

Back to flowchart